Liverpool 2-1 Lille: Reds Extend Perfect Champions League Run

Liverpool overcame a resilient Lille side with a 2-1 win at Anfield, maintaining their perfect Champions League record this season. Goals from Mohamed Salah and Harvey Elliott secured a hard-fought victory against the French visitors, who played with ten men for the final half-hour.

Salah Shines, Elliott Secures Victory

Liverpool opened the scoring in the 34th minute when Curtis Jones capitalized on a loose ball and provided an incisive pass to Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian talisman slotted past Lucas Chevalier to break the deadlock.

Despite Aissa Mandi’s dismissal for a second yellow card in the 60th minute, Lille struck back almost immediately through Jonathan David. However, Harvey Elliott’s deflected volley in the 67th minute restored Liverpool’s lead and secured the three points.

Player Ratings

Liverpool (4-3-3):

• GK: Alisson – 6.3/10 – Not heavily tested but looked composed when called upon.
• RB: Conor Bradley – 7.0/10 – Showed maturity beyond his years, solid in defense and attack.
• CB: Jarell Quansah – 7.2/10 – Impressive performance, read the game well and dealt with Lille’s threats.
• CB: Virgil van Dijk – 6.7/10 – Commanded the backline but was caught out for Lille’s equalizer.
• LB: Kostas Tsimikas – 7.7/10 – Provided energy and attacking support on the left flank.
• CM: Dominik Szoboszlai – 6.5/10 – Quiet performance, struggled to dictate play.
• CM: Ryan Gravenberch – 6.8/10 – Linked well with the attack but faded as the game went on.
• CM: Curtis Jones – 7.3/10 – Key pass for Salah’s opener, controlled the midfield well.
• RW: Mohamed Salah – 7.9/10 – Clinical finish and a constant threat.
• ST: Darwin Nunez – 8.0/10 – Held the ball up brilliantly and created space for others. Player of the Match.
• LW: Luis Diaz – 7.7/10 – Dynamic on the left, created several chances.

Substitutes:

• Alexis Mac Allister (46′ for Gravenberch) – 6.6/10 – Added stability in midfield.
• Harvey Elliott (46′ for Jones) – 7.4/10 – Scored the decisive goal and brought energy to the team.
• Wataru Endo (63′ for Szoboszlai) – 6.2/10 – Solid but unspectacular.
• Federico Chiesa (75′ for Diaz) – 6.2/10 – Struggled to make an impact in limited time.
• Trent Alexander-Arnold (86′ for Bradley) – N/A – Came on too late to be rated.

Unused Subs: Caoimhin Kelleher, Vitezslav Jaros, Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konate, Tyler Morton, Cody Gakpo, Jayden Danns.

Lille (4-2-3-1):

• GK: Lucas Chevalier – 7.5/10 – Made several good saves to keep Lille in the game.
• RB: Aissa Mandi – 5.2/10 – Dismissed for two bookable offenses, leaving his team vulnerable.
• CB: Bafode Diakite – 5.9/10 – Struggled to contain Liverpool’s attack.
• CB: Alexsandro Ribeiro – 6.6/10 – Solid in the air but lacked pace against Liverpool’s wingers.
• LB: Gabriel Gudmundsson – 6.3/10 – Contributed to Lille’s equalizer but defensively suspect.
• CM: Ngal Ayel Mukau – 5.8/10 – Overrun in midfield, struggled to impose himself.
• CM: Benjamin Andre – 5.9/10 – Couldn’t cope with Liverpool’s pressing.
• AM: Hakon Haraldsson – 6.1/10 – Energetic but lacked end product.
• RW: Mitchel Bakker – 6.0/10 – Quiet game before being substituted.
• ST: Jonathan David – 7.2/10 – Took his goal well and worked tirelessly.
• LW: Remy Cabella – 6.8/10 – Showed flashes of quality but inconsistent.

Substitutes:

• Thomas Meunier (63′ for Bakker) – 6.7/10 – Solid defensive shift.
• Osmane Sahraoui (63′ for Cabella) – 6.6/10 – Lively but lacked cutting edge.
• Ismaily (74′ for Gudmundsson) – 6.1/10 – Offered little going forward.
• Ayyoub Bouaddi (74′ for Mukau) – 6.2/10 – Energetic but ineffective.

Unused Subs: Marc-Aurele Caillard, Vito Mannone, Isaac Cossier, Angel Gomes, Ethan Mbappe, Mohamed Bayo.

Key Takeaways

Liverpool’s victory guarantees progression to the Round of 16 with a perfect group-stage record. Darwin Nunez’s dominant performance and Harvey Elliott’s impact off the bench were standout moments, while Lille’s resistance was ultimately undone by their defensive lapses and numerical disadvantage.