LEIPZIG – A second’s hesitation could be the distinction.
RB Leipzig sprung ahead and ran at Liverpool in the beginning of Wednesday’s Champions League encounter, however that further cut up second in possession and the chance was gone, whether or not it was a passing lane shutting off or a late cutback skipping behind the attacker. The ultimate ball was too late or just by no means got here. Slightly extra perception, and a shiny opening may’ve was a constructive consequence.
Liverpool had been skilled, virtually cocksure, and maybe the precise crew Leipzig need to emulate. It was one of many strongest examples of the extra measured strategy carried out by Arne Slot. It was decisive and dogged; successful duels, nudging the ball onto the subsequent purple shirt, and aiming for management greater than the rest.
There was no rush, no unnecessary or wasted touches when Kostas Tsimikas pushed the ball to Cody Gakpo, ran between two opponents to fulfill the return cross on the opposite aspect, after which clipped a first-time cross to the sting of the 6-yard field.
Mohamed Salah aimed a header towards the underside nook. It gave the impression to be entering into, however Darwin Nunez stretched to ensure with a short-range redirection, scoring the one purpose of the sport.
“We began properly however went behind from Liverpool’s first probability,” Leipzig head coach Marco Rose stated after the match.
From then on, the competition was largely performed on Liverpool’s phrases.
Slot credited Virgin van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate’s oft-domineering center-back partnership and a few good saves from Caoimhin Kelleher in his postgame press convention. However total, he was happy with Liverpool’s response after he felt they lacked management in Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League win over Chelsea.
“We had for a big a part of the sport, complete dominance,” Slot mirrored, including, “That is how I wish to see our crew play.”
Inside minutes of the second half, Dominik Szoboszlai took his flip to select on the stitches that Leipzig had been making an attempt to string between their protection and midfield. He darted at Arthur Vermeeren. The under-pressure Belgian midfielder jabbed at a cross, the following exchanges had been hurried, and Liverpool quickly pinched the ball and carved out one other opening.
Leipzig have developed a fame for enjoying with ambition and threat, however on this event they merely weren’t capable of go toe to toe with Liverpool.
The German aspect did not appear totally satisfied of its means to wriggle via the press or try intricate play via the center.
“I did not like how we performed in possession in sure phases of the sport,” Rose stated. “We had moments through which we needed to undergo, however they had been largely our personal fault. We gave the ball away too shortly, misplaced our rhythm, and invited Liverpool to transition shortly.”
Rose confused the significance of Leipzig seizing their moments. The occasions that they had been capable of play vertically had been most promising, bypassing the midfield with a fast ball into the attackers, however they did not occur typically sufficient or just led to disappointment.
Lois Openda had two disallowed targets from the 3 times he was known as offside, and though the third event would not have mattered no matter its end result, it did not mirror properly on his decision-making. Offered with an inviting alternative to shoot within the 91st minute, he considerably perplexingly and inaccurately squared the ball for Yussuf Poulsen. The prospect disappeared, and Leipzig’s hope of grabbing a last-gasp draw went with it.
Most tellingly, Leipzig’s greatest participant was goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi. His greatest save of all was a superb first-half cease to thwart a Nunez header. After the break, he impressively tipped over a Van Dijk header and produced a one-handed save to disclaim a strong 89th-minute blast from Gakpo.
There was little Gulacsi may do when Alexis Mac Allister collected a slick Szoboszlai backheel and guided a shot towards purpose from the sting of the field. The Argentine’s effort clipped the bar and went over.
“Our place within the Champions League hasn’t precisely improved, however we’ve got an opportunity with our remaining 5 video games,” Rose stated after three straight losses to start the league section. “We are going to hold working onerous and believing in ourselves.”
