Liverpool moved closer to securing a place in the Champions League last 16 with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over debutants Girona on Tuesday. Mohamed Salah’s second-half penalty proved decisive as the Reds extended their unbeaten run in the competition to six matches.
The Premier League leaders, guided by Arne Slot, remain at the top of the group phase standings with a perfect record, sitting five points clear of second-placed Inter Milan. The win all but guarantees Liverpool a direct path to the knockout stage, with only the top eight teams bypassing the extra play-off round.
Despite the narrow scoreline, Girona gave Liverpool a tough test at the Montilivi Stadium, where passionate home fans cheered on their underdog team. Girona, struggling with just three points from six matches, were organised and threatening, but they fell short against the clinical visitors.
Slot admitted his side’s performance wasn’t their best. “I’m really pleased with the results across all six games, but tonight’s performance left a lot to be desired,” he said.
Salah’s 50th Champions League goal, netted after a contentious penalty decision, was enough to break Girona’s resistance. The Egyptian’s composed strike moved him into the top 10 all-time scorers in the competition, tying with Filippo Inzaghi.
Returning from injury, Alisson Becker showcased why he’s regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. The Brazilian kept Liverpool in the game with key saves, denying Bryan Gil, Alejandro Frances, and Arnaut Danjuma on multiple occasions.
Girona showed glimpses of the form that saw them push Real Madrid in the Spanish league last season. Danjuma and Miguel Gutiérrez posed constant threats, but they couldn’t find a breakthrough.
The decisive moment came in the 75th minute when Luis Díaz went down under a challenge from Donny van de Beek. After a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty, much to the frustration of Girona’s players and fans.
Liverpool manager Slot praised Girona’s effort, saying, “I almost feel sorry for them. They’ve deserved more in this competition than what their points tally suggests.” Girona coach Michel Sánchez echoed Slot’s sentiment, expressing pride in his team’s spirited performance.
The loss effectively ends Girona’s Champions League hopes, while Liverpool march on as one of the favourites to contend for the trophy.
