Alisson Becker looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Girona FC and Liverpool FC at Montilivi Stadium on December 10, 2024
Liverpool moved to the brink of qualification for the Champions League knockout stages with a hard-earned win at Girona on Tuesday evening. A second-half penalty from Mohamed Salah was sufficient to secure a 1-0 victory against the Spanish outfit at the Estadi Montilivi.
The result means the Reds have now won all six of their games in the competition and remain top of the table with two games left. They were already assured a place in at least the play-offs.
Here the ECHO runs the rule over the Liverpool players on a chilly but successful evening.
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Alisson Becker 8
Three solid stops first half on his return to the first team before a great flying save to deny Asprilla. No sign of being bothered by his hamstring injury.
Trent Alexander-Arnold 7
Difficult moments at times defensively up against Danjuma in first half in particular but set-piece deliveries caused Girona problems. Prompted good save from Gazzaniga with free-kick late on.
Joe Gomez 7
Almost scored with a header in opening moments and while not all his defending was convincing, it did the job. Booked.
Virgil van Dijk 7
A couple of good defensive headers but otherwise Girona largely kept the game away from him by not starting with a recognised centre forward. The Dutchman began to pop up in the final third as a consequence.
Andy Robertson 8
Offered himself regularly going forward and covered well defensively when required. Solidly impressive showing.
Ryan Gravenberch 7
A couple of neat turns in the opening quarter and good pass set up Nunez, but began to get bogged down in midfield skirmish before starting to make the most of the greater space second half as Girona tired.
Curtis Jones 6
Mixed bag before break with his willingness to hold on to the ball both help and hindrance to Liverpool at times. Chose better options in second half. Subbed.
Mohamed Salah 7
Wide with one lob, created chance for Nunez and scared the Girona defence with his direct running and close control. Tucked away the winning penalty confidently.
Dominik Szoboszlai 6
Plenty of effort and pressing but it didn’t quite happen for the midfielder before interval. Stuck at it and shift helped Liverpool close down midfield for the most part.
Luis Diaz 6
A couple of runs into the Girona penalty area but far too peripheral in first half. More involved after that and forced the penalty for the winner. Subbed.
Darwin Nunez 5
Had two good chances to open the scoring before break but struck both of them at Gazzaniga. Second half one of diminishing returns. Looks short of confidence. Subbed.
Cody Gakpo (for Nunez 71) 6
Introduced on the left flank with Diaz switching down the middle.
Harvey Elliott (for Jones 76) 6
Welcome minutes as the youngster continues to build up sharpness after injury.
Wataru Endo (for Diaz 89)
Came on and instantly won a free-kick. Fast becoming Japan’s answer to James Milner.