Agency Report
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said he “could not be prouder of a team” as Mohamed Salah’s goal and Alisson’s brilliant late save earned a place in the Champions League knockout stage with victory over Napoli.
The Reds needed to win with a clean sheet or by two clear goals to make the last 16 – and in-form talisman Salah obliged by beating David Ospina at his near post in the 34th minute.
Liverpool fully deserved their victory as Ospina partially redeemed himself with fine saves from Salah and Sadio Mane, with the latter and Virgil van Dijk also missing clear chances to extend the home side’s advantage.
The clean sheet was the key, however, and Liverpool survived a huge scare in injury time when Alisson made his crucial save from Arkadiusz Milik in a rare Napoli opening.
The Brazilian keeper joined the Reds from Roma in July for a world-record fee for a goalkeeper of £66.8m.
“If I knew Alisson was this good I would have paid double,” said Klopp. “The goal Mo scored – what a goal, unbelievable – but the save Ali (Allison) made I have no words for that. That was the lifesaver tonight.
“It was wild and there were lots of counter attacks but we were ready for that. That is Anfield live and in colour.
“Wow, what a game. I am not sure a manager could be prouder of a team than I am.”
Liverpool go through in second place behind Paris St-Germain – a feat achieved despite losing three away games in their group.
The Reds, who were beaten by Real Madrid in last season’s final, will face one of the group winners when the last-16 draw is made on 17 December.
That could lead to another meeting with the champions, while their Spanish rivals Barcelona, Klopp’s former charges Borussia Dortmund and Portuguese champions Porto have also advanced by topping their groups.