ESTADI MONTILIVI, GIRONA // Liverpool maintained its 100 per cent record in the Champions League this season with Mohamed Salah scoring his 16th goal of the campaign and Luis Diaz impressing.
Girona made life difficult for Arne Slot's side in the first half, in particular, but Diaz was fouled and after a lengthy VAR check, Salah stepped up from the penalty spot. Alisson Becker, back in after missing 11 matches through injury, was in good form but Liverpool was the deserving winner having dominated the possession.
While a place inside the top eight spots in the new-look Champions League group phase is not mathematically secured yet, it is looking increasingly likely. That will ensure there is no need for a play-off in early 2025.
Winners
Salah is now only one goal away from Billy Liddell's record for the Reds and the Egyptian has now netted 50 times in Europe. He was, once again, the difference for Liverpool. Diaz was a livewire, even if he wasn't given much by the referee, and Curtis Jones kept things ticking over in the middle. Alisson was also excellent on his return to the side. The main winners will be the Reds players afforded a rest in the January European games when matches against PSV and Lille take place.
Losers
Darwin Nunez was not great here. He struggled with his finishing and had a few really good chances that he should have been more clinical with. There was one good turn from him that saw Oriol Romeu booked but he was hooked on 70 minutes without having done much. Without the goals to offset the lack of other stuff he offers, it is a conundrum for Slot to solve. Nunez looks lacking in confidence at the moment and now Diogo Jota is back, the Uruguayan hasn't made the most of his competitor's absence.
Player ratings
Alisson Becker (8). Returning to the side after 11 matches on the sidelines, the Brazilian was called into action early and made a good save from Bryan Gil. He was needed a few more times in the first 45 minutes especially but showed no signs of needing to warm back into things after his period on the treatment table.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (6). Miguel Gutierrez gave him a few problems early on with his creative ability down the left flank. Didn't create much or have that much of an attacking threat, though one free-kick forced a decent save.
Joe Gomez (6). Arnaut Danjuma can be a handful at his best and he kept Gomez busy, tending to pull to that side of the Liverpool defense. He was switched on to snuff out a couple of counter-attacks. Should have scored with a header from a set-piece.
Virgil van Dijk (7). Didn't have that much to do but was his usual assured self. His main task was helping keep the ball ticking over on the edge of the Girona penalty area.
Andy Robertson (6). Scampered up and down the left wing but couldn't quite get the final ball right. A couple of times, he crossed when he would have been better off staying patient. Forced a good save from Paulo Gazzaniga at his near post.
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Ryan Gravenberch (7). Much more energetic than he looked at Newcastle, seemingly refreshed by the weekend off. He was needed to cover plenty of ground, too, with Girona keen to counter-attack in numbers when afforded the opportunity.
Curtis Jones (7). Kept the ball ticking over but always had loads of bodies around him whenever he took possession of the ball in a congested central midfield area. Even then, he rarely lost it. Always looking for the ball, even in tight spots.
Dominik Szoboszlai (6). The usual from the Hungarian: lots of running and intensity but needs a bit more in the final third. He didn't play badly but perhaps can offer a lot more.
Mohamed Salah (7). Quiet in the first half. Grew into it in the second. A familiar story this season! He netted the opening goal from the penalty spot after Donny van de Beek's foul on Diaz.
Darwin Nunez (5). Should have done more with a couple of really good chances in the first half. His decision-making is often baffling and that was the case once again here. He doesn't offer enough of the other stuff to excuse his lack of goals.
Luis Diaz (7). Got around his man a couple of times but couldn't quite find the final touch to get his goal or provide one for a teammate. Harshly booked when he slipped over and a Girona defender made the most of very limited contact but won a penalty not long after that. He was lively and he helped create the match-winning moment.
Substitutes
Cody Gakpo (6). A really strong option to have to call upon from the bench. Willing runner and got into some good areas. He should start at the weekend having not done so here.
Harvey Elliott (6). Good to see him again after his injury has kept him out of most matches this season. He looked sharp enough and desperate to make the most of his cameo.