Mohamed Salah sets new record as Champions League group stages come to a close

Liverpool wrapped up a successful Champions League group stage with a 2-0 win over Napoli on Tuesday.

The win was only enough to see Jurgen Klopp’s side finish as runners up but the boss will be hoping it goes some way to restoring confidence.

The home side left it late as goals from Darwin Núñez and Mohammed Salah handed out a first defeat of the season to the Italian side.

A slow paced opening 45 minutes showed exactly what Jurgen Klopp meant when he claimed: “we will not stop fighting”.

While the football was not always pretty, the commitment and passion was clearly there.

The reds denied the visitors any meaningful chances while creating a few promising openings for themselves.

A lovely flick from Roberto Firmino on to the head of Curtis Jones was the best opportunity of the half.

Captain on the night, James Milner, was tireless in the engine room as he showed aggression and desire.

Such fearlessness did result in a nasty knock to the head for the 36 year old which resulted in a half time introduction for Harvey Elliott.

An extremely balanced game continued in similar fashion in the opening stages of the second half with neither side looking to over-exert themselves.

Liverpool fans thought they had seen their side go behind once again in the 53rd minute when Leo Østigård headed in from close range.

Following a 3 minute VAR decision, the goal was ruled out as the defender was judged to be ahead of Ibrahima Konate as the ball was played.

A rather comfortable even for Alisson in the Liverpool goal will have been a nice change for the Brazilian shot-stopper.

A few half chances that were scuffed down his throat, saw him pick up a relatively easy clean sheet on the evening.

The Anfield crowd were finally given reason to cheer as a Kostas Tsimikas corner was met by the head of Núñez.

The Napoli goalkeeper, Meret, was able to get a hand on it but could only parry into the path of Mo Salah.

The Egyptian netted for a fifth game in a row in this year’s Champions League as he prodded the ball over the line.

Setting yet another record for himself, he will have no doubt been delighted to keep up his rich vein of form in the competition.

One more goal in European competition will see him move clear of Steven Gerrard as the highest scoring red.

The, somewhat delayed, icing on the cake came when Núñez grabbed himself a goal from less than a yard out.

Once again coming from a corner, this time Virgil Van Dijk powered a header towards goal which Meret got a hand to.

Despite the best efforts of the Italian, it appeared that the effort was still set to cross the line when Núñez made absolutely sure.

A second lengthy VAR check for offside went in the favour of Jurgen Klopp’s men and the 2-0 win was secured.

Despite not winning the group, the majority of positives this season have come from the European performances.