Mohamed Salah scored his 50th European goal for Liverpool as the Reds booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with victory over 10-man Lille at Anfield.
Salah’s goal came when he latched onto a brilliant Curtis Jones through ball and slotted over the advancing Lucas Chevalier in the 34th minute.
Lille, who were unbeaten in 21 games in all competitions, had restricted Liverpool until then but Arne Slot’s side controlled the game after the goal.
Salah sent another one-on-one wide, before curling just past the far post in the second half.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men just before the half mark when Aissa Mandi was given a second yellow card for tripping Luis Diaz. His first was complaining about a possible foul on Jonathan David in the build-up to the goal.
They surprisingly equalised three minutes later when David passed home after Hakon Haraldsson’s effort was blocked.
Liverpool soon restored their advantage though when a corner was headed clear to Harvey Elliott and his deflected strike found the bottom corner.
There has been some transfer speculation around Elliott in the January window but speaking to Amazon Prime after the game he said: “I am not leaving. This is my team and my club.
“I’m a massive fan and we’re in a great position so far this season.
“I’ve had conversations with the gaffer but at the same time I need to understand the situation. For me to go in and say I should be starting it would be silly of myself really.”
Darwin Nunez, who started after his two stoppage-time goals in Liverpool’s Premier League win at Brentford on Saturday, had a late goal ruled out for offside following Federico Chiesa’s effort being tipped away.
The win is Liverpool’s seventh in the new-look league phase and continues their 100% record in the competition.
They will be seeded for the last 16 when it takes place in March and will face one of the eight sides that make it through February’s play-offs.
Professional Liverpool get job done
This was far from Liverpool’s best performance under Slot but it was another professional display and win.
They were lacklustre in the opening half an hour and were well contained by the energetic and high press of Lille.
The tackle by Kostas Tsimikas on David that won the ball back left the visitors vulnerable. There were huge gaps in their midfield and defence and Jones’ pass was inch perfect to set up Salah, who finished with consummate ease.
Liverpool will feel they should have extended their lead with Jarell Quansah and Alexis Mac Allister heading set-pieces over the bar and Nunez having a near-post effort saved.
David’s equaliser came from nowhere and was Lille’s first shot on target.
They were unbeaten in their past five Champions League games but were unable to withstand Liverpool pressure.
They saw a late Haraldsson effort blocked over the bar but Liverpool looked more likely to extend their lead than concede an equaliser.
Slot’s side will need a point in their final game – away at PSV on 29 January – to secure top spot, but with progression secured the Reds may rotate with a busy period ahead in the Premier League and FA Cup as well as an EFL Cup semi-final second leg at home to Tottenham.
Lille are 11th and will finish in the play-offs at least, but the Ligue 1 side could still end up in the top eight and automatically reach the last 16.
