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Liverpool put up a stellar showing to beat RB Leipzig 2-0 in the second leg of their Round of 16 Champions League clash at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on Wednesday. The Reds, who also won the first leg 2-0, are through to the quarter-finals of the continental competition. Liverpool's victory came on the back of their disappointing run of form in the Premier League, with the Merseyside giants currently eighth in the table.
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Usual suspects Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah scored on Wednesday night to ensure Liverpool did not face too many hiccups against an unpredictable RB Leipzig side. The duo graced the scoresheet in the first leg encounter as well. On that note, let's take a look at the hits and flops in the game.
#1 Hit: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Bagging a goal against RB Leipzig will come as a great relief to Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian international was substituted midway through the second-half against Chelsea and had to endure a shocker versus Fulham last weekend.
Latching on to a ball from new signing Diogo Jota, who was playing as a center forward, Salah made no mistake and was right on target for the Reds. He also played the role of a playmaker and was a vital cog in Liverpool's offensive wheel.
Salah's goal was sublime as well, sending Leipzig's defenders one way and then another, before beating goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi comfortably.
#2 Flop: Emil Forsberg (RB Leipzig)
It was a frustrating night for RB Leipzig center forward Emil Forsberg. Playing alongside Yussuf Poulsen at the heart of his team's attack, Forsberg was not allowed any space by Liverpool centre-backs Ozan Kabak and Nathaniel Phillips.
Forster ended the game with zero shots on target and only two shots in total - a very poor return for an attacking player. Although Liverpool's defense lacked senior and experienced players, RB Leipzig failed to create meaningful chances.
Wednesday's game will serve as a tremendous learning experience for Forsberg, who has scored six goals in 29 appearances in all competitions this season.
#3 Hit: Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool)
Arriving amidst much fanfare from Bayern Munich last summer, Thiago Alcantara has not had the best of starts to life at Anfield, with injuries also halting his progress.
But on Wednesday, Thiago ensured Liverpool did not stay out of possession for long and was quick to change the tempo of the game whenever needed. Although he was substituted in the 72nd minute, Liverpool had almost booked their spot in the quarter-finals by then.
Thiago's passing was also a joy to watch against RB Leipzig.
#4 Flop: Daniel Olmo (RB Leipzig)
Central midfielder Daniel Olmo was another RB Leipzig player who had a forgettable outing in Budapest on Wednesday. Although his passing was decent, Olmo had just two shots in the entire game, with one being on target.
Olmo, who was hauled off in the 72nd minute, was also responsible for missing one big chance against the Reds.
He was simply not at his best last night and will not be too keen to look back at his performance.
Hit: Nathaniel Phillips (Liverpool)
Nathaniel Phillips stood like a giant at the heart of Liverpool's defense against RB Leipzig on Wednesday. Alongside Ozan Kabak, Phillips put up a really mature display at the Puskas Arena.
Phillips was not aerially strong, but he ensured his technical prowess came to the fore and stalled the likes of Yussuf Poulsen and Emil Forsberg from taking easy shots on goal.
He should be applauded for the way he recovered from his sub-par performance against Fulham last weekend and carried himself with grace in Budapest.
