Even when they are not at their best, Liverpool cannot be stopped in the Champions League! Six teams have tried, Lille were the seventh tonight, but Les Dogues fell short just like the rest – 2-1. The Reds were pretty anaesthetized during the first half but still awaited the break with the lead, thanks to Mohamed Salah’s goal.The visitors’ defender Aissa Mandi was sent off in the 59th minute, easing Liverpool’s job at first glance, though Lille levelled only three minutes after his dismissal. Still, the Ligue 1 side kept up with the Anfield crew for only five minutes, as Harvey Elliott netted the winner and secured another three points for his team.Liverpool FC remain the only team to win EVERY game in their Champions League run as they become the first team to defeat Lille in over 4-months! 🔥🔴🏆 pic.twitter.com/bsxvZiSV2K— OneFootball (@OneFootball) January 21, 2025 The opening half-hour of the duel was pretty eventless and forgettable, as the rivals made a single attempt each and nothing more than that. Even though both teams were pretty offensive and willing to attack and press the opponents’ defensive line, they weren’t concrete.The Pharaoh offered a salary worthy of his nickname?However, in the end, Liverpool’s experience prevailed, as the Reds used Lille’s openness to lurk counterattacks, and one of them brought them the opener. In the 34th minute, Curtis Jones stole the ball near the middle of the pitch and sent an ideal pass for Mohamed Salah, who perfectly finished the action with a first-touch effort!⚽️ GOAL: Salah🇪🇺 Liverpool 1-0 Lillepic.twitter.com/P3tE3I2QDQ— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) January 21, 2025 The Egyptian wasted one more decent chance after another hasty counter minutes before the break but shot narrowly wide of the post. Still, Arne Slot could be much more satisfied than his counterpart on the visitors’ bench.The Reds opened the second period in a much more active manner, threatening over Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley, and Alexis Mac Allister, while Darwin Nunez wasted a one-on-one chance. When Lille’s Aissa Mandi received a second yellow in the 59th minute, the visitors’ were considered doomed.You Musk be kidding! Billionaire sets his sight on Premier League giantsHowever, instead of sealing the deal and securing the triumph, Liverpool conceded only three minutes later! Hakon Arnar Haraldsson attempted, Konstantinos Tsimikas blocked his effort, but the rebound came to Jonathan David, who sent it home to level the score.🚨🚨GOAL: JONATHAN DAVID FINDS THE EQUALIZER FOR LILLE GAME ON!!!!Liverpool 1-1 Lille pic.twitter.com/LoUMEXmW2s— Goal Ultraverse (@goalultraverse) January 21, 2025 Still, the visitors managed to keep up with the Anfield crew for just five minutes, as Harvey Elliott brought the advantage back to the home team with a long-range strike – 2-1! At that point, Lille boss Bruno Genesio’s strategy of defending the draw was made futile, as Les Dogues had to go for another equalizer while being a man down, which was mission impossible.⚽️ GOAL: Harvey Elliott🇪🇺 Liverpool 2-1 Lillepic.twitter.com/J0XazxOW1k— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) January 21, 2025 Thanks to the latest triumph, the Reds kept a perfect 7/7 score and thus convincingly secure the top spot of the UEFA Champions League’s league phase. On the other hand, Lille kept their chance to take the place in the TOP 8, but the Round of 32 still seems more realistic.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND 7TuesdayMonaco – Aston Villa 1-0 (1-0)/Singo 8/Atalanta – Sturm Graz 5-0 (1-0)/Retegui 12, Pasalic 58, De Ketelaere 63, Lookman 90, Brescianini 90+5/Atletico Madrid – Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 (0-1)/Alvarez 52, 90 – Hincapie 45+1/Benfica – Barcelona 4-5 (3-1)/Pavlidis 2, 22, 30 pen, Araujo 68 og – Lewandowski 13 pen, 78 pen, Raphinha 64, 90+6, Garcia 87/Bologna – Borussia Dortmund 2-1 (0-1)/Dallinga 71, Junior 72 – Guirassy 15 pen/Club Brugge – Juventus 0-0Crvena zvezda – PSV 2-3 (0-3)/Ndiaye 71, Djiga 78 – De Jong 17, Til 23, Flamingo 43/Liverpool – Lille 2-1 (1-0)/Salah 34, Elliot 67 – David 62/Slovan Bratislava – Stuttgart 1-3 (0-2)/Metsoko 85 – Leweling 11, 34, Rieder 87/Wednesday20:45: (2.85) Leipzig (3.70) Sporting (2.45)20:45: (2.70) Shakhtar (3.10) Brest (2.75)23:00: (7.75) Sparta Praha (4.50) Inter (1.42)23:00: (1.12) Arsenal (11.0) Dinamo Zagreb (22.0)23:00: (1.38) Celtic (5.40) Young Boys (8.50)23:00: (6.75) Feyenoord (5.00) Bayern (1.43)23:00: (1.48) Milan (4.65) Girona (7.25)23:00: (2.50) PSG (3.80) Man City (2.75)23:00 (1.08) Real Madrid (14.0) RB Salzburg (30.0)***odds are subject to change***
