Liverpool : Darwin Nunez’s 27th-minute tap-in propelled Liverpool to a comfortable 1-0 Champions League victory over RB Leipzig on Wednesday, extending their impressive start under new coach Arne Slot. Liverpool broke through some early Leipzig pressure shortly before the half-hour mark, thanks to Mohamed Salah’s stunning header across his body. Nunez rushed forward to nudge the ball into the net, scoring his first Champions League goal since February 2023. Despite a late Leipzig flurry, Liverpool demonstrated the control and resilience that has propelled them to the top of the Premier League standings just days before Sunday’s game at Arsenal.
“We are excited about the victory. We played a tough away game. With the exception of the last few minutes, we had complete control of the game,” Slot stated.
“I requested a goal. He (Darwin) scored one, but Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah also played crucial roles in the buildup. It was a collective objective. It’s encouraging to see Darwin doing an excellent job today.”
Slot has won 11 of his first twelve matches in charge in all competitions, the best start of any Liverpool manager in history, while Leipzig has gone 0 for 3 in Europe this season.
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“With a little luck, maybe we could have taken a point,” Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi said, adding, “We’ve had no luck in the Champions League.”
Both teams impressed domestically this season thanks to good defensive records, with Liverpool surrendering three goals in eight Premier League games and Leipzig conceding only two in seven.
Slot made three modifications to the lineup that defeated Chelsea at home 2-1 on Sunday, benches Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones in favor of Kostas Tsimikas and Alexis MacAllister, and replacing Diogo Jota with Nunez.
Leipzig coach Marco Rose’s starting XI made his intentions apparent, with Lois Openda, Xavi Simons, Benjamin Sesko, and Antonio Nusa forming an all-out attacking force.
Rose’s formation worked well early on, with Leipzig pushing Liverpool aggressively and counterattacking.
Sesko came near after 19 minutes, pouncing when Caoimhin Kelleher sprinted out of his box and failed to clear, but the huge Slovenian’s long-range shot flew just wide of the post.
On the 26th minute, Openda scored from deep outside the box, but the Belgian’s strike was deemed offside.
Liverpool made Leipzig pay quickly
Liverpool made Leipzig pay quickly, with Nunez tapping in a Salah header, his second goal in nine games this season.
Nunez came within inches of doubling up shortly after, but Gulacsi saved his point-blank header.
With one eye on Sunday’s match at Arsenal, Liverpool attempted to take the sting out of the game in the second half by controlling the game and keeping Leipzig at bay.
Salah was irritated when he was replaced with half an hour left, but Slot had already decided on Arsenal.
The home side surged late, with Openda’s goal again being ruled out for blatant offside, but Liverpool held on to make it three from three in the Champions League.
“We’re satisfied with the victory; we played a difficult road game. Apart from the last five minutes, we had a good handle on the game,” Slot explained.
“I asked for a goal.” Darwin scored one, but Cody Gakpo was instrumental in the buildup, as was Mo Salah, who assisted. “It was a team goal – it’s pleasing to see that Darwin did a really good job today.”
Slot has won 11 of his first twelve matches in charge across every competition, which is the best start in Liverpool ever, while Leipzig is already 0-3 in Europe this season.
Both teams have impressed domestically this season due to good defensive records, with Liverpool surrendering three goals in eight Premier League games and Leipzig conceding only two in seven.
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