Gulf News

Salah, Alisson keep Liverpool dream alive

REDS THROUGH TO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE KNOCKOUTS

- BY DANIEL TAYLOR

Perhaps it would be stretching the truth to say this victory will be cherished among the great European nights here. That, however, is only because the list is already so extensive and the jubilation at the final whistle signalled how much it meant to Jurgen Klopp, his players and a hugely appreciati­ve crowd. Liverpool had made it through and the Premier League leaders can be greatly encouraged by the way they handled a potentiall­y treacherou­s night.

They did, briefly, torture their crowd with the prospect of a dramatic late twist when Arkadiusz Milik, one of Napoli’s substitute­s, suddenly found the ball at his feet inside the six-yard box, two minutes into stoppage time.

For a split second, it was a shudder of apprehensi­on reverberat­ing through the stadium. Alisson, the Liverpool goalkeeper, was off his line, spreading his body, limbs pointing north, west, south and east, and the shot was blocked. “The save of the season,” Klopp called it. “I have no clue how he made that save.” In truth, Milik aimed his shot straight at the goalkeeper. But for the players in red, that save was celebrated almost like a goal.

That apart, it was difficult to recall too many other occasions when Napoli threatened to score the goal that could have eliminated their opponents.

Rare lapse

Jose Callejon had one chance at the far post after a rare lapse from Andy Robertson and early in the game Marek Hamsik sent a 20-yard effort just over the crossbar. That, however, turned out to be a deception if it left the impression Liverpool were in for a torrid evening and, if anything, it was a surprise they did not add more goals to the one Mohammad Salah scored in the first half.

Sadio Mane had a wasteful game, missing three golden opportunit­ies and denied by an offside flag when he did put the ball in the net.

Salah reinforced the growing belief that he had shaken off whatever was holding him back a few months ago. On this form, it cannot be long before Liverpool’s outstandin­g player starts smiling again in his goal celebratio­ns.

The only downside for Liverpool was a first-half booking for Virgil van Dijk because of his follow-through, studs-up, in a challenge on Dries Mertens. Van Dijk’s yellow card means he will be suspended from the first leg of their last-16 tie. Otherwise, last season’s finalists can reflect on a hugely satisfying night’s work, especially when it began with the knowledge that even a score of 2-1, for example, could put them out of the competitio­n. Instead, it is Napoli, currently second in Serie A, who drop into the Europa League.

Salah reinforced the growing belief that he had shaken off whatever was holding him back a few months ago.

 ?? Reuters ?? Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp celebrates with Mohammad Salah, who scored their only goal to help the team beat Napoli 1-0 to make it to the Champions League knockout stages.
Reuters Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp celebrates with Mohammad Salah, who scored their only goal to help the team beat Napoli 1-0 to make it to the Champions League knockout stages.

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