Liverpool remain at the top of the Premier League after seesaw match against Leipzig

 In the 27th minute, Liverpool secured the winner with a close-range finish after Mohamed Salah’s header, and a seventh clean sheet of the season sealed the victory.

Liverpool remain at the top of the Premier League and have taken nine points from three Champions League matches. While their results are impressive, coach Arne Slot had called for more control over games, and Liverpool had some challenging moments against Leipzig, who saw two goals disallowed.

Leipzig, level on points with Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, started strong and finished the game on top, but they couldn’t avoid a third consecutive Champions League loss. Without a major turnaround, Leipzig could be looking at an early exit by the time Klopp takes over as Red Bull’s head of global soccer in January.

Leipzig nearly took an early lead. Kostas Tsimikas, replacing Andy Robertson, lost possession, allowing Xavi Simons to attempt a lobbed shot that narrowly missed. Later, Trent Alexander-Arnold gave the ball away, but Benjamin Sesko’s header went directly to Liverpool’s backup goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Kelleher made a low save against Amadou Haidara’s strike, though he was nearly caught out soon after in a mix-up with Ibrahima Konate. Fortunately for Liverpool, Sesko’s shot went wide as Kelleher scrambled to recover.

In the 27th minute, Liverpool secured the winner with a close-range finish after Mohamed Salah’s header, and a seventh clean sheet of the season sealed the victory.

Liverpool remain at the top of the Premier League and have taken nine points from three Champions League matches. While their results are impressive, coach Arne Slot had called for more control over games, and Liverpool had some challenging moments against Leipzig, who saw two goals disallowed.

Leipzig, level on points with Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, started strong and finished the game on top, but they couldn’t avoid a third consecutive Champions League loss. Without a major turnaround, Leipzig could be looking at an early exit by the time Klopp takes over as Red Bull’s head of global soccer in January.

Leipzig nearly took an early lead. Kostas Tsimikas, replacing Andy Robertson, lost possession, allowing Xavi Simons to attempt a lobbed shot that narrowly missed. Later, Trent Alexander-Arnold gave the ball away, but Benjamin Sesko’s header went directly to Liverpool’s backup goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Kelleher made a low save against Amadou Haidara’s strike, though he was nearly caught out soon after in a mix-up with Ibrahima Konate. Fortunately for Liverpool, Sesko’s shot went wide as Kelleher scrambled to recover.

Lois Openda’s offside goal in the 26th minute was disallowed, but it seemed to jolt Liverpool into action.

Just a minute later, Liverpool took the lead. Kostas Tsimikas sent in a cross from the left, which Mohamed Salah headed towards goal, and Darwin Nunez tapped it in.

Liverpool seized the momentum, with Nunez nearly scoring a second but denied by Leipzig’s goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi, who had previously spent years on Liverpool’s bench without an appearance.

In the 38th minute, Nunez appeared to be tripped by Leipzig captain Willi Orban in the box, but Swiss referee Sandro Scharer waved play on, and VAR did not intervene despite replays showing contact.

Cody Gakpo hit the side-netting before halftime and missed an even better chance four minutes into the second half, thwarted by Gulacsi after a mix-up between Lutsharel Geertruida and Arthur Vermeeren from a Nunez cross.

Salah came close in the 59th minute but curled his shot over. He was substituted shortly after, visibly disappointed, likely in anticipation of Sunday’s match against Arsenal.

Liverpool continued pressing, with Alexis Mac Allister hitting the crossbar, but Leipzig nearly capitalized on missed chances. Kelleher saved from Benjamin Sesko after Konate lost possession and then tipped over a dipping shot from Xavi Simons.

Leipzig thought they had equalized seven minutes from time, but Openda’s tap-in was ruled offside after Kelleher deflected Benjamin Henrichs' cross, allowing Liverpool to hold on for the win.