UEFA Champions League

Result: RB Leipzig 0-2 Liverpool

Date: 16 February 2021

Venue: Puskas Arena

Liverpool took a big advantage in their UEFA Champions League last 16 tie after defeating RB Leipzig 2-0 in the first leg on Tuesday evening.

Jurgen Klopp handed a Champions League debut to January signing Ozan Kabak alongside Jordan Henderson in central defence while Thiago Alcantara was recalled to the starting line-up in place of the injured James Milner.

The visitors went close to pulling ahead on 15 minutes Trent Alexander-Arnold Mohamed sent Salah through on goal, but the Egyptian saw his strike parried away by Peter Gulacsi.

The Reds were dominant for most of the first half but they were unable to make it count as the likes of Roberto Firmino and Andrew Robertson squandered their chances at the midway point.

Firmino looked to have given English champions the lead 10 minutes before the break, but the celebrations were cut short as the ball deemed to have gone out of play before the goal.

Click through the gallery to view the highest-paid stars in the Champions League:

Liverpool finally got their reward in the 53rd minute when as Salah intercepted Kevin Kampl's pass before going through on goal to fire past Gulacsi.

The lead was doubled five minutes later through Sadio Mane, who profited from Nordi Mukiele's failure to clear and slotted home from close range for a second away goal.

Leipzig had a chance to get themselves back in the contest on 80 minutes but former Manchester City full-back Angelino scuffed his volley wide from close range, as the visitors held on for a win and a clean sheet.