Liverpool are within touching distance of the Champions League last 16.
A sixth straight win in the competition this season, secured through Mohamed Salah’s penalty, controversially awarded after a VAR check for a foul on Luis Diaz, cemented Arne Slot’s grip on first place in the league phase.
While this was far from their best display of the campaign, Slot is unlikely to be concerned. Here, we analyse the major talking points.
Was that really a penalty?
The key moment of the game came just after the hour when former Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek was adjudged to have fouled Diaz in the box just after the hour mark.
Initially, referee Benoit Bastien had not seen fit to take any action on Van de Beek, who had stood on Diaz’s heel, removing his boot in the process, before hooking his leg around Diaz from an awkward angle.
It looked a soft penalty, and all the more surprising given Bastien had not taken action on the field, but Salah duly made no mistake from the spot, sending Paulo Gazzaniga the wrong way.
That sealed a scrappy game but Liverpool will not care. With the club’s progress direct into the last 16 all but assured, Slot should have some leeway to rotate his side in their final two fixtures. That would offer crucial respite during a busy January: if they progress in the Carabao Cup next week against Southampton, they will have eight fixtures that month alone. Rotation will be key to keep players fresh and avoid injuries.
As other European giants have struggled in the new competition format, Liverpool have swatted aside all they have faced. In a confidence and composed manner, they have put themselves in a comfortable position.
Nunez fluffs his big chance
The sight of Diogo Jota taking part in first team training was a welcome one for everyone at Liverpool. Well, almost everyone.
The Portugal international, who has been missing since the start of October, is due to return to action soon and for Darwin Nunez that might not be good news.
Nunez and Luis Diaz have been rotated in the No 9 role during Jota’s absence, and Nunez in particular has struggled to stake a claim for a regular starting spot. The Uruguay international has had moments of promise, and has certainly improved his work rate off the ball, but he has continued to frustrate in front of goal.
Against Girona it was another one of those nights which suggested a player is lurking in there somewhere, only to leave everyone disappointed.
It was summed up by a promising counter attack that saw a ball loop up towards him seven yards out from goal. He could have directed it goalwards, or laid it off to one of his teammates, but he got the header all wrong, barely brushing it with his head, and the attack came to nothing.
There were also two one-on-one misses in the first half. Both were created with some good initial movement, but on each occasion Nunez was unable to apply the finishing touch, with Gazzaniga able to save.
The confidence seemed to keep draining out of Nunez around the penalty box as the game went on and he cut a disconsolate figure as he made way for Cody Gakpo in the 71st minute.
He will know that Jota will soon have the chance to reestablish himself as Liverpool’s first-choice No 9.
Alisson back with a bang
If Alisson was hoping for a quiet return to action following a two-month lay-off, Girona had other ideas.
The Brazilian had not played since suffering a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace at the start of October but was fit enough for his first start in Spain and showed no signs of rustiness against a lively home team.
His first save came when he denied Bryan Gil, who followed up Daley Blind’s miskick from a couple of yards out. Two minutes later, the 32-year-old was in action again to deny Gil, although the Girona attacker would probably have been called offside had a goal been scored. Alejandro Frances and Yaser Asprilla also tested the Brazilian in the first half.
The saves underlined why Slot feels Alisson is his No 1 goalkeeper, despite the fine form of Caoimhin Kelleher while he has been out, although the Dutchman may not have been happy to see him so heavily exercised.
Defensively, Liverpool were exposed by Girona’s pacy counter-attacks. They struggled to retain a compact shape and the control they had was lost when they ceded possession. Girona should have scored in the first half and were let down by poor finishing in the second, too, notably when Arnaut Danjuma blazed over after bursting into the area. The former Bournemouth player also had a shot saved by Alisson earlier in the second period.
This did at least end a run of four consecutive away games where Liverpool have conceded at least two goals, although the defensive frailties still showed themselves. Without the injured Ibrahima Konate, work is required to resemble the formidable defensive outfit they were away from home at the start of the season.
What next for Liverpool?
Saturday, December 14: Fulham (home), Europa League, 3pm UK, 10am ET
Recommended reading
- When could the Merseyside Derby be replayed?
- Gerrard’s Olympiacos goal, 20 years on
- Jon Moss: How to improve VAR, Coote controversy and Klopp’s ‘gamechanging’ call
(Top photo: Josep Lago/AFP via Getty Images))
