Liverpool continued their flawless run in the Champions League with a 1-0 victory over Girona in Catalonia, but the performance was far from perfect. The Reds, who also lead the Premier League, are virtually through to the knockout stages following the win.
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However, not all players impressed, particularly striker Darwin Nunez, who missed a number of opportunities.
Alisson’s Heroics Keep Liverpool in Control
While Liverpool’s attack struggled, they were bailed out by goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who made several key saves to prevent Girona from scoring.
The decisive moment came just after the hour mark when Luis Diaz was fouled by Donny van de Beek, giving Mohamed Salah the chance to score from the penalty spot.
Salah converted confidently, notching his 46th Champions League goal and securing all three points for Liverpool.
Nunez Faces Criticism for Missed Chances
Despite the win, forward Darwin Nunez faced heavy criticism after failing to capitalize on two clear-cut chances in the first half.
His performance led to frustration from fans, with some accusing Liverpool of being “scammed” by Benfica over the £85 million transfer fee.
Nunez was substituted in the second half, and manager Arne Slot commented on the striker’s struggles: “He missed a few chances, and it’s always tough to say if it’s due to low confidence or just a rough patch.”
Manager’s Support for Nunez
Slot also pointed out that strikers go through periods of missed chances and that it doesn’t always reflect a lack of effort.
He added, “The good thing is we have many players who can score for us – today it was Mo again. I would have loved to see Darwin score, but unfortunately, he couldn’t.”
Alisson Praised for Stellar Performance
Slot also took the time to praise Alisson’s return to the starting lineup after an injury layoff, calling him one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
“Alisson showed why he’s our number one goalkeeper,” Slot said. “He’s been so important for this club, and today he proved it once again with his performance.”
Liverpool’s Progress in the Champions League
With the victory, Liverpool remains at the top of their Champions League group. They now need just one point from their final two matches to guarantee a spot in the last 16. The win also maintains their strong momentum, despite the less-than-perfect performance against Girona.
