RB Salzburg 0 - 2 Liverpool | 3 Reasons Why the Reds emerged victorious and advanced to the Champions League knockout stages

2. An inexperienced RB Salzburg crack under pressure

RB Salzburg v Liverpool FC: Group E - UEFA Champions League

The home side began the game in great fashion after flooding Liverpool's half in numbers. Despite not creating too many clear-cut chances, their intensity was admirable and caused a number of problems to the Liverpool backline.

However, as Liverpool grew into the game and assumed control, Salzburg fizzled out and failed to regain the vigour and intensity they displayed in the earlier portions of the game.

The interplay between Hwang Hee-chan, Takumi Minamino and star man Erling Braut Håland was often off-colour and the final ball was poor on more than one occasion. The trio was excellent in the reverse fixture and helped them put 3 past Liverpool at Anfield, albeit in a losing cause.

Håland was uncharacteristically below-par on the night. Having already racked up 28 goals and 7 assists across all competitions this season, the Norwegian spearheaded the Austrian champions' attack but failed to score or create anything noteworthy for Salzburg. He registered a mere 23 touches on the pitch before being hooked off before the final 15 minutes of the game.

RB Salzburg v Liverpool FC: Group E - UEFA Champions League

Furthermore, the fact that it was a defensive error that lead to Mohamed Salah's unbelievable strike from an extremely acute angle would leave the Salzburg faithful with a sour taste. The Egyptian smelt blood after the opener from Naby Keita and was buzzing around the Austrians' defence and smartly intercepted the pass to the horror of the intended target Stankovic.

It has been a learning experience for a young RB Salzburg side under the tutelage of American tactician Jesse Marsch. But, on a night where nothing but a victory was acceptable for a shot at qualification, they failed to deliver the good and ultimately cracked under pressure.

To be fair to the Austrians, it was a tough ask despite their form to get the better of the defending European champions.