Liverpool’s Champions League Postmortem: Núñez Secures 1-0 Win at Leipzig | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Resilience Shines in 1-0 Champions League Win Over RB Leipzig

This was a game that I had predicted as a 2-2 draw in my pre match preview, due to a fair amount of rotation I had expected for the visitors. On both counts I was completely wrong and for this game it was only Alexis Mac Allister, and Kostas Tsimikas, who came into the starting eleven in for Andy Robertson, and Curtis Jones. Regarding the winning result, the 0-1 scoreline may have appeared tight on review, however, the control and pathway to success rarely seemed in doubt once the Reds got themselves in front.

Below is how the team lined up, with match details following.

Photo: IMAGO

LFC Starting Eleven

GK – Caoimhin Kelleher

RB – Trent Alexander Arnold

RCB – Ibrahima Konaté

LCB – Virgil van Dijk (c)

LB – Kostas Tsimikas

CM – Alexis Mac Allister

ACM – Dominik Szoboszlai

CM – Ryan Gravenberch

RF – Mohamed Salah

CF – Darwin Núñez

LF – Cody Gakpo

Subs

Luis Díaz – Mohamed Salah (63 mins)

Andy Robertson – Kostas Tsimikas (75 mins)

Joe Gomez – Trent Alexander Arnold (75 mins)

Curtis Jones – Darwin Núñez (75 mins)

Goals (Assisted by)

RB Leipzig 0 – 1 Liverpool

Darwin Núñez (Mohamed Salah) – 27 mins

Important Match Stats

Possession

RB Leipzig 43% – 57% Liverpool

Total Shots

RB Leipzig 14 – 16 Liverpool

Crosses

RB Leipzig 10 – 15 Liverpool

Corner Kicks

RB Leipzig 5 – 7 Liverpool

Goalkeeper Saves

RB Leipzig 6 – 6 Liverpool

Photo: IMAGO

First Half

The opening period of this game was a tight and tactical contest that was dominated by Liverpool on the possession score card, however, the hosts were probably more the aggressor in the opening twenty minutes. With a desire to open the red’s rearguard from wide positions, it took a while for the visitors to settle and get into their European groove, with both teams eager to press and play to create opportunities from lost possession. Following some solid penetration from Cody Gakpo on the flank, eventually the Greek left back, Kostas Tsimikas, floated a deep cross to Mohamed Salah at the Germans back post.

The Egyptian King was able to head the ball back across goal and his effort was probably headed in off the far post. With some fleet footbed movement to match the energy of his performance so far, the Uruguayan raging bull, Darwin Núñez, was able to thunder the ball into the net from just a foot out. The clock said 27-minutes and the reds were ahead, with the fabled no.11, Mohamed Salah, adding yet another goal involvement to his startling record.

Photo: IMAGO

With some combative and confident defending by both Liverpool central defenders, Virgil van Dijk, and Ibrahima Konaté, the exiting attack of the RB group was somewhat blunted and batted away with relative ease. Caoimhin Kelleher was called upon on a couple of occasions (in that first period), with one very impressive stop from a long-range effort by Amadou Haidara.

Before Liverpool had opened the scoring, Loïs Openda had struck an unstoppable shot into the top corner, one which was immediately ruled out for an offside. Darwin Núñez, and then Virgil van Dijk, had great headed efforts tipped over the bar by the impressive former Liverpool keeper, Péter Gulácsi, whereas the Uruguayan striker, Darwin, should have won a penalty late in the half.

That first half ended with the home side a goal behind, though still very much in the fight. Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai, had been very effective in their press and on the ball, whereas both Kostas Tsimikas, and Trent Alexander Arnold, remained diligent and composed in their respective defensive efforts.

Second Half

On resumption of the second half, no changes were made as the Liverpool head coach stuck with those that started the game. As the six-time European champions settled into the game even more so, the encounter petered out somewhat, though chances for either side still popped up sporadically.

Photo: IMAGO

Almost immediately after the restart, a mistake by the German outfit allowed the 6ft 2inch striker, Darwin Núñez, the chance to run in behind and despite the outnumbering odds, found a way to get a cross into the middle of the penalty area. Cody Gakpo appeared certain to score from close range, however, the right leg of the opposing goalkeeper scuppered the chance to double down on the stated advantage.

Following a superb interchange between the Argentine and Hungarian midfielders in red, Alexis Mac Allister was able to gain a yard of space and curl a wonderful effort towards the top corner. Unfortunately for the sublime no.10, his shot struck the bar and continued up and over the home side’s goal.

With substitutions how afoot for both young opposition managers, the reds brilliant stopper was called into action once again, as the control loosened off a little. Another goal was disallowed for offside, as the reds started to ride their luck and game manage their way to victory. A final effort was created and executed by the impressive Cody Gakpo, as his shot also sailed over the bar.

The game ended at 0-1, allowing the illustrious winners to maintain their 100% winning start to the 2024/25 Champions League, whilst a Leipzig remained on zero points from their own three games played.

Final Thoughts

This was a game that may have been more difficult, if not for the superb defensive performances of Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, and Caoimhin Kelleher. Equally so, the centre forward display by the former Benfica striker, Darwin Núñez, allowed a constant and combative threat high up the pitch. I awarded the enthusiastic no.9 the man of the match plaudit due to his superb effort and deserved goal.

The reds travel to north London this Sunday with momentum and confidence at an all-time high, in what could be the most significant game of the season so far. Let us see if eleven wins from twelve, can become twelve from thirteen.

Steven Smith’s Pre-match Prediction:

RB Leipzig 2 – 2 Liverpool