Mohamed Salah and Alisson make difference in player ratings as Liverpool edge through

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  • Egypt forward Mohamed Salah’s superb solo goal and Brazil goalkeeper Alisson’s astonishing injury-time save helped Liverpool through into the Champions League’s knockouts with a tense 1-0 win against Napoli.

    Last season’s beaten finalists needed victory to guarantee progress and Salah delivered just after the half-hour mark. He skipped past two defenders, before slotting through Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina’s legs as he gambled on a cross.

    Progression seemed assured until second-half injury time when Alisson made himself massive to deny replacement Arkadiusz Milik from close range.

    The victory saw Liverpool finish second in Group C, while previous leaders Napoli dropped into the Europa League.

    LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)

    Alisson – 7: Delivered on his enormous summer transfer fee as he made himself big in second-half injury time to keep out substitute Arkadiusz Milik.

    Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7: In the absence of the injured Joe Gomez, was always going to start. Had two shots and made second-most tackles with four. A true all-rounder.

    Joel Matip – 7: Will need to forge a relationship with Virgil van Dijk. Early signs were promising, as Napoli’s nimble attackers were subdued.

    Virgil van Dijk – 7: Follow through thwacked into Dries Mertens’ ankle to earn an early booking. Otherwise, timing was consummate from Europe’s best centre-back.

    Andrew Robertson – 7: Steady excellence from the flying Scot. Forced Kalidou Koulibaly into some strained clearances when he overlapped James Milner.

    Georginio Wijnaldum – 7: In the direct battle with Allan, Liverpool’s link man gave as good as he got. His tally of three tackles  quelled Napoli’s late momentum.

    Jordan Henderson – 6: Was the midfielder most at risk of dropping out of the XI after the Paris comedown. Grew into this game, after a suspect first half.

    James Milner – 7: Interplay with Robertson was a real highlight. Has provided more UCL assists than any other player (nine) after he teed up Salah.

    Mohamed Salah – 7: Made a fool of Koulibaly and nutmegged David Ospina with a cheeky finish, sending Reds through. Humiliated left-back Mario Rui.

    Roberto Firmino – 6: Did the simple things well as his recent upturn in form continued. Nearly scored fluky second-half goal off his back.

    Sadio Mane – 4: Ridiculous first-half run saw a goal rightly disallowed for offside. Missed three massive late chances when put in by team-mates.

    SUBSTITUTES

    Naby Keita – N/A: Added drive to a tiring Reds midfield during his short spell on the pitch.

    Fabinho – N/A: Milner was out on his feet with five minutes left, so Fabinho saw game out.

    Dejan Lovren – N/A: Helped hold the fort, just, at the death.

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