BULL FRIGHT
Salah saves Liverpool and Andy’s night after epic Salzburg revival
LIVERPOOL somehow survived a crazy collapse to finally get their Champions League defence on track thanks to Mo Salah.
After taking a three-goal lead with some of the most majestic play of the Jurgen Klopp Anfield era, with Scotland star Andy Robertson netting a dream goal, Red Bull Salzburg fought back in astonishing fashion.
Inspired by the brilliant Hee-Chan Hwang, the Austrians clawed their way back into the contest either side of half-time, even as the Reds missed chances to put the match out of sight.
But a chaotic contest was finally decided in a rather more predictable way, as Salah finally calmed Kop nerves and restored order as he finished with 20 minutes remaining.
Klopp said: “It’s better to learn the lessons during the game than talk about it after it.
“I thought we were outstanding in the first 30 minutes then the Salzburg system changed. The momentum changed and it was really difficult to get a foot in the game. We had to wait until they had scored the third goal, then we were able to strike back.
“I’m not angry, I saw us play really well and try hard to get back into the game and score a really nice goal.”
“They never give up and push and they caused us problems but in the end, we scored more goals.”
Liverpool had started in imperious fashion. Sadio Mane embarrassed defender Rasmus Kristensen then worked a smart exchange with Roberto Firmino before his cool, clipped finish.
Next came a real collectors’ item as Robertson began a move from inside his own half and continued his charge forward to side-foot home fellow fullback Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross at the near post for his first goal since May 2018 and only his second in 89 games for the club.
When asked about Robertson, regular Reds goal expert Salah said: “He finally scored!
“He doesn’t score a lot but he works so hard for the team and we’re all really happy for him.”
Then when Salah only had to sidefoot a push-out from keeper Cican Stankovic to put Liverpool three up in little more than half an hour, it seemed the only imponderable was how crushing the formality was going to be.
But then came the eye-rubbing scene of Virgil van Dijk being outmanoeuvred and an opposition confidence and swagger not often seen at Anfield on a Euro night.
After Hwang embarrassed the Dutch defender to pull one back, Salzburg swarmed all over the home side.
The sweet volley from Takumi Minamino and the tap-in equaliser from sub Erling Braut Haaland were just reward for the away side’s swashbuckling approach.
Haaland emulated his dad, ex-Leeds star Alf-Inge, by scoring at Anfield.
ANDY DUNN AT ANFIELD
But after drawing level the Salzburg defence stalled, allowing Salah to smuggle through the middle and apply a winning touch to Firmino’s deft flick.
It was not just a face-saver, it was crucial in the context of the group. One point from the two opening fixtures would not have been a good look for the competition’s holders.
And he said: “Now I have the same number of goals here. He’s always telling me, ‘I scored at Anfield, I scored at Anfield’. Now I can say it back to him, ‘So have I’.”