Leipzig faced Liverpool at a neutral venue in Budapest this Tuesday night in the Champions League’s Round of 16. We have the player ratings.
The Reds dominated their game against RB Leipzig at the Champions League’s Round of 16 and secured their first clean sheet since January 17th. Klopp’s side had recently struggled to keep their defensive line in check and had fans worried for their UCL clash. However, new-kid-on-the-block Sabak and adapted center-back Henderson were more than enough to stop Leipzig’s attack.
In the first half, both teams had a few good chances to score but couldn’t manage to put the ball in the net. However, things went quite differently in the second half. Despite their decent performance, Die Roten Bullen made two terrible mistakes that were proven lethal against the Reds’ fast wingers.
Marcel Sabitzer, who has been one of Leipzig’s best players this season, accidentally passed the ball to Mo Salah in a very dangerous zone. Naturally, the Egyptian forward ran towards the goalkeeper and easily put the ball past Gulacsi.
As if that wasn’t enough to leave Nagelsmann upset, Liverpool’s second goal came just five minutes later. In fact, Klopp’s side had the help of another Leipzig man to increase the lead. Mukiele, who struggled to keep Mane in check this Tuesday, failed to clear a long ball coming from the back. Therefore, Sadio Mane took his time to slide another one past the goalkeeper, despite Upamecano’s efforts to reach the ball.
In fact, one can argue that if it wasn’t for Upamecano’s performance, the German side could’ve left Budapest without a qualifying chance. Bayern Munich’s new signing wasn’t the best player on the pitch, but was undoubtedly the best Leipzig defender tonight. Upamecano cleared a lot of dangerous chances for the Reds, surely leaving Flick with a smile on his face.
Liverpool will now face Die Roten Bullen at Anfield on March 10th. The Reds will enjoy a two goal lead that has put them closer of reaching the UCL’s quarter-finals.
Player ratings
RB Leipzig: Gulacsi (5), Mukiele (5), Klostermann (6), Upamecano (7), Angelino (6), Haidara (6), Kampl (6), Sabitzer (5), Adams (6), Nkunku (6), Olmo (7).
Bench: Poulsen (6), Orban (5), Hwang Hee-Chan (5).
Liverpool: Alisson (6), Alexander-Arnold (7), Kabak (7), Henderson (7), Robertson (7), Wijnaldum (7), Alcantara (6), Jones (7), Mane (8), Salah (8), Firmino (6).
Bench: Shaqiri (5), Oxlade-Chamberlain (5), Williams (N/A).
Feel free to make your pick on the player’s ratings and performances using the widget below.
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