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Cheers in red: Liverpool are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League
Photo:
BERNADETT SZABO / REUTERS
Liverpool FC are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
After the 2-0 first leg success, Jürgen Klopp's team again managed a 2-0 (0-0) against RB Leipzig.
The late goals came from Mohamed Salah (71st minute) and Sadio Mané (74th).
As in the first leg, the two teams met in Hungary's capital Budapest - and because Liverpool didn't just concentrate on defending despite a better starting position, a fast-paced game developed early on.
The Reds had more possession, but RB had the first big chance.
Ten minutes were played when Dani Olmo shot from close range and failed on the strongly reacting Alisson.
Liverpool could have provided clarity early on: Thiago played quickly and far forward on the well-started Mohamed Salah after a corner blocked.
Péter Gulácsi parried the attacker's conclusion.
And Sadio Mané no longer brought the rebound with his head on goal (23).
As a result, the Leipzig team shifted the game further into the opposing half of the game, but they did not create any chances, which made the game less attractive.
Shortly before the break, Liverpool's quick switching game led to two good scoring opportunities: Diogo Jota's shot from 15 meters was too unplaced (41st).
After a long ball and an unfortunate assist by Dayot Upamecano, the Portuguese missed, this time his finish went from the left to the side netting (45th).
Outstanding in leaving nothing
The longer it was 0-0, the sooner Leipzig had to increase the risk.
RB has often increased in recent times as soon as Julian Nagelsmann brought attacker Alexander Sörloth into play.
This time it took about 20 minutes until the Norwegian who came to the break had the best chance for the guests with a header on the crossbar.
Then things went fast at Liverpool: The ball landed at Jota over several stations, who served Salah and then watched him hit a hook and turn it flat from about twelve meters (71st).
The decision was made.
After a cross from Divock Origis from the right, Mané pushed the ball over the line (74th).
Jürgen Klopp's team not only lost sight of their title defense in the Premier League, but also the Champions League ranks.
In the national cup competitions, the reigning champions have also been eliminated and so the Champions League is Klopp's last chance for a title.
And probably also the last chance for an international starting place for the coming season.
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