Liverpool Destroy RB Leipzig In Budapest

Liverpool
Liverpool

Liverpool’s victory over Leipzig can be attributed to the two defensive errors that the German team put before them in the Round of 16 of the UCL. The Bundesliga side went down 0-2 to Liverpool in Budapest which likely signals their exit from the Champions League this year. The home game for Leipzig was shifted all the way to Ferenc Puskas Arena because of the travel restrictions put forth by German authorities regarding visitors from the United Kingdom. The club would be ruing this change in the fixture as they have to now play the next fixture at Anfield. 

Liverpool Will Have A 2-0 Advantage At Home

Some experts say that it was the alien conditions that favored Liverpool’s experienced players over the relatively younger players of Leipzig. The English side quickly asserted their dominance over their German counterparts with possession of 58% and a pass accuracy of 83.1%. Although Leipzig did manage to play their game in the high press, with a 75.6% pass accuracy. And this is what separated the two sides- their ability to quickly find passes from their players. 

Leipzig’s woes would have been increased if the first goal by Bobby Firmino wasn’t disallowed. Although the linesman had lifted his flag on the through ball from Sadio Mane to Firmino, a closer inspection saw the ball never really going past the line. Die Roten Bullen should consider themselves lucky that they wouldn’t be going to Anfield with a 0-3 deficit. 

The second half saw both clubs getting a couple of opportunities, which Liverpool took advantage of. Christopher Nkunku from Leipzig had a one on one situation with Alisson but he shot wide of the goal. Leipzig’s defenders Marcel Sabitzer and Nordie Mukiele, on the other hand, moved away from their mark, allowing Mo Salah and Sadio Mane to score successively.