UEFA Champions League 2019-20: Liverpool edge past RB Salzburg 4-3

Defending champions Liverpool edged past FC Salzburg 4-3 at Anfield on Matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League 2019-20 season. The Reds got an early hold on the match with three goals before half time, but it was not over yet as Salzburg nearly scripted a comeback to take Jurgen Klopp's men by surprise.

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Sane scores in the ninth minute

Liverpool did not take time to break the deadlock as Sadio Mane, with a little help from Firmino, got the ball past Cican Stankovic's gloves and scored the opening goal in the ninth minute. The next goal came in the 24th minute when Trent Alexander-Arnold passed the ball to Andrew Robertson who took no time to take a superb shot at goal. In the 29th minute, it looked like Liverpool were add a third when Mohamed Salah took a close-range shot but missed. Six minutes later, Firmino's shot rebounded off Stankovic's leg and a hungry Salah capitalised on the error to make it 3-0. Before the 45-minute mark, Hwang Hee-chan made sure that he gave Salzburg fans some hope. Getting through Virgil van Dijk's defence, Hee-chan created room for a stunning curler to close the gap on Liverpool's lead.

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Salzburg make a comeback

In the 55th minute of the match, Hee-chan provided a brilliant assist to Takumi Minamino who then scored a goal. Salzburg were now only one goal behind Liverpool. It only took four more minutes for Salzburg to equalise as Minamino passed the ball past the defenders and the keeper to Erling Haland, who simply nudged the ball past the goal line and the crowd erupted. The excitement among the Salzburg camp showed when manager Jesse Marsch ran to his team and celebrated when his side scored the third. But Salah restored Liverpool's lead in the 68th minute. Liverpool managed to press higher and keep Salzburg attackers at bay for the remainder of the match.

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What is next?

Liverpool are currently second in Group E and Salzburg follow them at third. Liverpool will now face Leicester City on October 5 in the Premier League. Salzburg will now play Altach in the Austrian Bundesliga on the same day. 

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