Liverpool continued their flawless UEFA Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Girona at the Estadi Montilivi. Mohamed Salah's penalty secured all three points for the Reds, ensuring their sixth consecutive win in the competition and keeping them at the summit of the standings.
The match began with Arne Slot’s Liverpool showing their attacking intent early. Ryan Gravenberch’s precise through ball found Darwin Núñez, whose low shot was well-handled by Paulo Gazzaniga. Girona, however, were determined to make a statement, and Daley Blind squandered a golden opportunity, failing to convert Miguel Gutiérrez’s inviting cross. Bryan Gil and Gutiérrez both tested Liverpool’s returning goalkeeper Alisson, who kept the visitors in the game with impressive stops.
The intensity of the first half carried into the second as Girona sought to keep their hopes of a top-24 finish alive. Arnaut Danjuma came close with a darting run and powerful shot, only for Alisson to deny him. Liverpool, however, began to dominate, and their persistence paid off on the hour mark. Andy Robertson’s effort in a chaotic penalty-box scramble led to a VAR review, which adjudged Donny van de Beek to have fouled Luis Díaz. Salah confidently converted the penalty for his second goal of the UCL campaign.
Despite Girona’s spirited display, Liverpool’s defensive organization, led by Alisson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, left the home side without a clear-cut chance to equalize. Alexander-Arnold nearly added a second for Liverpool with a late free-kick that narrowly missed the target.
With six wins from six, Liverpool remain firmly in control of their Champions League group, with a last-16 spot potentially confirmed depending on other results. Girona, on the other hand, must overcome their scoring woes, having failed to find the net in three consecutive European matches, and now sit three points adrift of a qualification spot.
Check out the latest UEFA Champions League Table below: