Football

UCL: Reds Through To Last 16 Thanks To Salah, Elliot Goals

Liverpool became the first team to guarantee a place in the last 16 of the new Champions League format by beating Lille 2-1 on Tuesday. Harvey Elliott’s bouncing, deflected shot gave Liverpool its seventh win from seven games, just after 10-man Lille had equalized following Mohamed Salah’s opening goal. Liverpool needed a point at Anfield to be sure of reaching the round of 16 as one of the top eight teams in the league stage, skipping the playoff round for teams ranked ninth to 24th.Salah raced through in the 34th minute to sweep Liverpool ahead with his 22nd goal in all competitions this season. And when Lille’s Aissa Mandi was sent off just before the hour mark, Liverpool looked certain to extend its 100% record in the league phase.But Anfield was stunned when Canada striker Jonathan David converted from close range to level the score in the 62nd. It didn’t take long for Liverpool to regain the lead through Elliott’s deflected effort five minutes later.

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UEFA Champions League soccer Liverpool vs Lille - Virgil van Dijk
Champions League 2024–25: Virgil van Dijk and Alisson applaud at the end of the match | Photo: AP/Jon Super

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk and goalkeeper Alisson applaud at the end of the Champions League, opening phase soccer match between Liverpool and Lille at Anfield Stadium, in Liverpool, England.

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UEFA Champions League soccer Liverpool vs Lille - Hakon Arnar Haraldsson
Champions League 2024–25: Lille's Hakon Arnar Haraldsson gestures | Photo: AP/Jon Super

Lille's Hakon Arnar Haraldsson gestures during the Champions League, opening phase soccer match between Liverpool and Lille at Anfield Stadium, in Liverpool, England.

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UEFA Champions League soccer Liverpool vs Lille - Federico Chiesa
Champions League 2024–25: Federico Chiesa heads the ball as Lille's Hakon Arnar Haraldsson jumps | Photo: AP/Jon Super

Liverpool's Federico Chiesa heads the ball as Lille's Hakon Arnar Haraldsson jumps on the his side during the Champions League, opening phase soccer match between Liverpool and Lille at Anfield Stadium, in Liverpool, England.

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UEFA Champions League soccer Liverpool vs Lille - Harvey Elliott
Champions League 2024–25: Liverpool's Harvey Elliott celebrates after scoring his side's second goal | Photo: AP/Jon Super

Liverpool's Harvey Elliott, right, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League, opening phase soccer match between Liverpool and Lille at Anfield Stadium, in Liverpool, England.

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UEFA Champions League soccer Liverpool vs Lille - Jonathan David
Champions League 2024–25: Lille's Jonathan David celebrates after scoring his side's first goal | Photo: AP/Jon Super

Lille's Jonathan David celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Champions League, opening phase soccer match between Liverpool and Lille at Anfield Stadium, in Liverpool, England.

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UEFA Champions League soccer Liverpool vs Lille - Aissa Mandi
Champions League 2024–25: Kostas Tsimikas challenges for the ball with Aissa Mandi | Photo: AP/Jon Super

Liverpool's Kostas Tsimikas challenges for the ball with Lille's Aissa Mandi during the Champions League, opening phase soccer match between Liverpool and Lille at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England.

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UEFA Champions League soccer Liverpool vs Lille - Mohamed Salah
Champions League 2024–25: Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his side's first goal | Photo: AP/Jon Super

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, celebrates with his teammate Darwin Nunez after scoring his side's first goal during the Champions League, opening phase soccer match between Liverpool and Lille at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England.

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UEFA Champions League soccer Liverpool vs Lille -
Champions League 2024–25: Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring | Photo: AP/Jon Super

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Champions League, opening phase soccer match between Liverpool and Lille at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England.

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UEFA Champions League soccer Liverpool vs Lille - Gabriel Gudmundsson
Champions League 2024–25: Mohamed Salah challenges for the ball with Gabriel Gudmundsson | Photo: AP/Jon Super

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah challenges for the ball with Lille's Gabriel Gudmundsson during the Champions League, opening phase soccer match between Liverpool and Lille at Anfield Stadium, in Liverpool, England.

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UEFA Champions League soccer Liverpool vs Lille - Darwin Nunez
Champions League 2024–25: Liverpool's Darwin Nunez controls the ball | Photo: AP/Jon Super

Liverpool's Darwin Nunez controls the ball during the Champions League, opening phase soccer match between Liverpool and Lille at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England.

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