UEFA Champions League
Result: Liverpool 4-3 Red Bull Salzburg
Date: 02 October 2019
Venue: Anfield
Liverpool made heavy weather of their first UEFA Champions League win of the season after edging Red Bull Salzburg 4-3, with Mohamed Salah grabbing a brace in Group E on Wednesday evening at Anfield. The Reds manager, Jurgen Klopp made only one injury-forced change from their win over Shieffield Wednesday, as Joe Gomez replaced Joel Matip. The hosts had a bright start as Sadio Mane opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a shot into the bottom corner after combining with Roberto Firmino on the left channel. The English side doubled their lead in the 25th minute courtesy of Andrew Robertson, who poked home a cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold at the back post. Liverpool got a third goal 14 minutes before the break thanks to Salah, who scored on a rebound from close range after goalkeeper Cican Stankovic saved Firmino's initial shot. However, Salzburg pulled one back six minutes before the break as Hwang Hee-Chan did well to beat beat van Dijk before unleashing a powerful drive towards the bottom corner. Salzburg were fired up coming from the break as they reduced the deficit four minutes before the hour-mark as Takumi Minamino fired home a sublime strike from the edge of the box. The comeback was complete for the visitors four minutes later as substitute Erling Haaland scored moments after coming on, with a toe-poked finish into a a gaping net following a cross from Minamino. However, the Salzburg's celebrations were short-lived as Salah restored Liverpool's lead with 21 minutes remaining after curling a stunning strike towards the bottom corner, following a flick on by Firmino. The pace of the game slowed down in the closing phase, with the Reds insisting on getting the fifth goal and giving Salzburg chances to hit on counter-attacks but in the end, Liverpool held on to clinch their first points in Group E, while the Austrian side dropped points and lost for the first time. 
