MOHAMMED Salah scored his 50th European goal for Liverpool as the Reds booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with victory over 10-man Lille at Anfield.
Salah’s goal came when he latched onto a brilliant Curtis Jones through ball and slotted over the advancing Lucas Chevalier in the 34th minute.
Lille, who were unbeaten in 21 games in all competitions, had restricted Liverpool until then but Arne Slot’s side controlled the game after the goal.
Salah sent another one-on-one wide, before curling just past the far post in the second half.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men just before the half mark when Aissa Mandi was given a second yellow card for tripping Luis Diaz. His first was complaining about a possible foul on Jonathan David in the build-up to the goal.
They surprisingly equalised three minutes later when David passed home after Hakon Haraldsson’s effort was blocked.
Liverpool soon restored their advantage though when a corner was headed clear to Harvey Elliott and his deflected strike found the bottom corner.
There has been some transfer speculation around Elliott in the January window but speaking to Amazon Prime after the game he said: “I am not leaving. This is my team and my club.
“I’m a massive fan and we’re in a great position so far this season.
“I’ve had conversations with the gaffer but at the same time I need to understand the situation. For me to go in and say I should be starting it would be silly of myself really.”
Darwin Nunez, who started after his two stoppage-time goals in Liverpool’s Premier League win at Brentford on Saturday, had a late goal ruled out for offside following Federico Chiesa’s effort being tipped away.
The win is Liverpool’s seventh in the new-look league phase and continues their 100% record in the competition.
They will be seeded for the last 16 when it takes place in March and will face one of the eight sides that make it through February’s play-offs.