Liverpool stop rot and get huge advantage in Champions League tie as RB Leipzig’s ‘awful defending’ is slammed

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Liverpool have a huge advantage in their Champions League last-16 tie over RB Leipzig having claimed a 2-0 win in the first leg against the German side.

It also ends their recent winless run, with Liverpool going into the clash at the Puskas Arena having lost their last three.

This was more like it from Liverpool, who are in a great position to reach the quarter-finals

Second-half strikes from Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane has put them in a great position to reach the quarter-finals and could act as a springboard towards their recovery this season.

But Jurgen Klopp’s side have the German side to thank for helping them to victory as both their goals were gift-wrapped.

Salah fired beyond Peter Gulacsi as he latched onto a stray pass by Marcel Sabitzer before Mane doubled their advantage as he went clean through on goal when Nordi Mukiele tumbled to the ground.

This is Salah’s 118th goal for Liverpool

And Mane had an easy finish five minutes later

Former England defender Stuart Pearce labelled RB Leipzig’s defending as ‘awful’ in his analysis of both goals.

He said: “A lot has been said about those two mistakes but those mistakes have been forced by the pressure Liverpool’s front line have put on this team. You never have an easy ride.

“It [the second goal] was just a hopeful ball over the top, awful defending, I don’t know what he was thinking about.

“You stay on your feet of nothing else but he’s gone to ground trying to deal with the ball and when Mane goes through with just the goalkeeper to beat you feel for the keeper.

“It might just put the tie to beyond Leipzig now.”

Mukiele was at fault for Liverpools second goal

This was much more like it from Liverpool, although they did start the tie nervously. They almost went behind early on when Dani Olmo’s header struck the post.

But Liverpool grew into it and created chances of their own with Mane heading just over, while former Red Gulacsi appeared to hurt himself as he crashed into the net chasing an Andy Robertson chip which went just over the bar.

Roberto Firmino headed the ball in but the goal wasn’t given as the ball went just out of play before Mane put the cross in.

Liverpool got their goals in the space of five minutes in the second half but needed to call on Alisson Becker earlier on. The much-maligned keeper of recent weeks denied Christopher Nkunku a certain goal.

The visitors were largely comfortable as they saw out the 2-0 win but Leipzig were guilty of spurning late opportunities, including from ex-Man City man Angelino as well as from substitute Hwang-Hee Chan.