Early in the round of 16: Liverpool FC beats Lille OSC

The Lille squad traveled to Anfield Road with an impressive unbeaten streak of 21 (!) competitive games. The last defeat? The 2-0 defeat at Sporting Lisbon on the first group match day in the premier class over four months ago; The duels with the two top Madrid teams Real (1:0) and Atletico (3:1) were also successful.

The backdrop at Anfield Road didn’t seem to intimidate Les Dogues either, as they had their first chance to score in the person of Gudmundsson immediately after kick-off. Compared to the 2-1 win against Nice, which saw Lille climb to third place in Ligue 1, coach Bruno Genesio changed his team in three positions: Mandi, Gudmundsson and Mukau started instead of Meunier, Ismaily (both on the bench) and André Gomes (not eligible to play).

Like the guests, the home side rarely created any significant offensive actions, although Liverpool increasingly gained control. Reds coach Arne Slot made four changes after the 2-0 win at Brentford and had Brentford double packer Darwin start alongside Bradley, CL debutant Quansah and Jones. Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Mac Allister and Gakpo were all moved to the bench.

Hardly any chances, then comes Salah

While the game was evenly balanced for long stretches, both teams struggled to show the necessary precision in the final third. Liverpool’s crosses were often lacking in quality, and Lille waited in vain for a brilliant idea in front of the opponent’s penalty area.

Jones suddenly had one in the 34th minute, who had the presence of mind to pass it to Salah after Tsimikas won the ball against David. The Egyptian didn’t miss the opportunity and flicked the ball past the outgoing Chevalier and into the net.

However, since Salah failed to take advantage of a promising opportunity to make it 2-0 another ten minutes later, the Reds’ score ultimately remained 1-0 at the break. Based on the proportions of the game, this interim result was okay.

Lille outnumbered – and with the equalizer

With a double substitution (Elliott and Mac Allister for Gravenberch and Jones), Slot sent the home side into the second half – a wise choice, as it turned out as the evening progressed. In any case, Liverpool increasingly increased the pressure and scraped through Quansah (53′) and Darwin, who was denied by Chevalier (58′), to make it 2-0.

This task was supposed to be easier when Lille right-back Mandi was sent off with a yellow-red card after a foul on Luis Diaz (59′). The bitter realization from LFC’s perspective came just three minutes later: David netted from around ten meters for the unexpected equalizer.

Joker Elliott pitches for the Reds

The guests became the first team to score a goal at Anfield in this premier class season. An anecdote that was ultimately of little value – and lost a lot of its significance in the 67th minute: After a corner, the ball landed in the backcourt of substitute Elliott, whose left-footed shot Mukau deflected decisively into his own goal.

There wasn’t much more to come from Les Dogues after conceding the second goal; instead, the hosts once again intensified their offensive efforts. However, both Salah (79′) and Joker Chiesa (82′) were left behind against Chevalier, and Darwin’s supposed goal didn’t count due to a clear offside position (90’+1).

Lille also still dreams of a direct place in the round of 16

So the Reds got their deserved home win over time and secured early entry into the round of 16, which also remains within reach for Lille.

The teams continue in their respective national leagues on Saturday when Liverpool host the Tractor Boys from Ipswich (4 p.m.) and Lille visit Strasbourg (7 p.m.). While the Reds finally face Eindhoven away at the end of the premier class, Les Dogues are fighting against PSV league rivals Feyenoord Rotterdam for the round of 16 ticket (both January 29th, 9 p.m.).