Mohamed Salah Shines as Liverpool Edge Closer to Last 16

Mohamed Salah’s second-half penalty secured Liverpool a 1-0 victory over Girona, moving them closer to the Champions League last 16. The win maintained their perfect record in the competition this season, making it six wins from six games. A single point from their remaining two fixtures or favorable results elsewhere will secure them a top-eight finish and automatic progression to the knockout stage. The decisive moment came after Luis Díaz was fouled in the box by Donny van de Beek.

Salah confidently converted the resulting penalty sending Girona keeper Paulo Gazzaniga the wrong way to notch his 46th Champions League goal. The Egyptian forward continues his impressive form with 16 goals in 22 games across all competitions this season including seven in his last six outings. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker returned to the starting lineup after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in October.

The Brazilian made several crucial saves, denying Bryan Gil, Miguel Gutiérrez and Yaser Asprilla in the first half and later stopping Arnaut Danjuma from a tight angle. Alisson’s presence provided stability especially after recent criticism of stand-in Caoimhín Kelleher for an error in last week’s 3-3 draw against Newcastle. Liverpool had chances to extend their lead with Joe Gomez seeing an early header saved and Darwin Núñez denied in a one-on-one by Gazzaniga.

Girona, who have struggled in this season’s competition, offered little threat apart from a missed opportunity by Daley Blind. Liverpool remain top of the league-phase table and have already secured a spot in the knockout-phase play-offs. Liverpool’s unbeaten run in the Champions League highlights their dominance with Mohamed Salah playing a key role as they have now won 16 of their last 18 matches across all competitions since a September loss to Nottingham Forest.