Alisson Shines as Liverpool Edge Girona to Stay Perfect in Champions League
Liverpool fans, breathe a sigh of relief! The Reds continued their flawless run in the Champions League on Tuesday night with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Girona. While the scoreline might not scream dominance, the performance of goalkeeper Alisson Becker certainly did. His heroics between the posts were the backbone of Liverpool’s success, as the team struggled to find their usual attacking rhythm.
Darwin Núñez had the best opportunities for Liverpool in the first half, but Girona’s goalkeeper, Paulo Gazzaniga, was up to the task, denying the Uruguayan striker twice. On the other end, Alisson was equally busy, making crucial saves to keep Girona at bay. One of his standout moments came when he thwarted Yáser Asprilla, who looked poised to give the visitors a shock lead.
After the break, the action didn’t let up. Alisson was called into action again, this time stopping Arnaut Danjuma, whose directness on the ball caused Liverpool’s defense plenty of headaches. The breakthrough finally came when a VAR review confirmed a foul by Donny van de Beek on Luis Díaz inside the box. Mohamed Salah stepped up to the spot and coolly converted the penalty, giving Liverpool the lead they desperately needed.
From that moment on, Liverpool looked more composed. Girona’s remaining chances were snuffed out, and the Reds held on to secure their sixth consecutive win in the Champions League group stage. While the result was positive, manager Arne Slot wasn’t entirely pleased with the performance, and it’s easy to see why.
Positives
Let’s start with the obvious: Alisson Becker. The Brazilian goalkeeper was nothing short of sensational, making a string of vital saves to ensure Liverpool walked away with all three points. His performance not only secured the win but also gave him valuable minutes to sharpen up ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Fulham.
Another positive was Liverpool’s ability to grind out a result even when they weren’t at their best. It’s a hallmark of great teams to find a way to win, and the Reds did just that.
Negatives
On the flip side, Liverpool’s attack left much to be desired. Darwin Núñez, while industrious, looked frustrated as he failed to capitalize on his chances. The forward line as a whole lacked the clinical edge that fans have come to expect. Defensively, Liverpool also relied too heavily on Alisson, with Girona creating more opportunities than Slot would have liked.
Manager Rating: 6/10
Arne Slot made some smart decisions, such as starting Alisson to give him game time and introducing Harvey Elliott and Wataru Endo at the right moments to control the game. However, the overall performance left room for improvement, particularly in the attacking and defensive phases.
Player Ratings
- GK Alisson Becker, 9: The undisputed man of the match. Alisson’s saves were the difference-maker, and his return to action couldn’t have been more impressive.
- DF Virgil van Dijk, 7: Commanded the backline with authority and made a crucial interception to deny Donny van de Beek before halftime.
- DF Joe Gomez, 6: Came close to scoring with a header but had some shaky moments defensively, particularly against Arnaut Danjuma.
- DF Andrew Robertson, 7: Solid defensively and contributed offensively, forcing a save from Gazzaniga before winning the penalty.
- DF Trent Alexander-Arnold, 6: Linked up well with Salah and delivered dangerous set-pieces, but his free-kick effort was saved.
- MF Dominik Szoboszlai, 6: Showed flashes of brilliance, including a well-placed cross to Núñez, but was inconsistent overall.
- MF Curtis Jones, 6: Quiet in the first half but grew into the game, driving forward with the ball in the second half.
- MF Ryan Gravenberch, 7: Created two of Liverpool’s best chances and rarely lost possession, helping the team control the game.
- FW Darwin Núñez, 6: Worked hard and made good runs but couldn’t find the finishing touch, leaving him visibly frustrated.
- FW Luis Díaz, 6: Struggled to make an impact but won the penalty that ultimately decided the game.
- FW Mohamed Salah, 7: Balanced his play well between creating chances and going for goal. His penalty was clinical and decisive.
Substitutes
- Cody Gakpo (Núñez, 71″), N/R: Held the ball up well and made positive runs after coming on.
- Harvey Elliott (Jones, 75″), N/R: Returning from injury, Elliott kept things simple and contributed defensively.
- Wataru Endo (Díaz, 88″), N/R: Provided stability in the closing minutes to help Liverpool see out the win.
While Liverpool’s performance wasn’t perfect, their ability to grind out a result and maintain their perfect Champions League record is a testament to their resilience. With Alisson in top form and Salah delivering when it mattered most, the Reds will look to build on this momentum as they shift focus back to the Premier League.
Originally Written by: Liam McBurney
