By Opta Analyst | Created at 2025-01-22 00:16:35 | Updated at 2025-01-22 04:41:29
4 hours ago
Arne Slot’s men made it seven wins from seven in the Champions League, with top spot almost theirs. Re-live the game with the best facts and Opta data in our Liverpool vs Lille stats page.
Liverpool need just a point on Matchday 8 of the Champions League to secure progress to the last 16 as league phase winners after a 2-1 win over Lille at Anfield on Tuesday.
The Reds arguably made harder work of it than needed, as they were pegged back after their visitors had been reduced to 10 men.
But Arne Slot’s men got the job done, making it seven wins from seven in the 2024-25 Champions League and ensuring they will go straight through to the last 16.
It’s only the third time in European Cup/Champions League history that an English team has won their opening seven matches of a season – the Reds account for two of those having also achieved it in 2021-22.
Mohamed Salah got them on their way just after the half-hour mark, the Egyptian lifting a smart finish over the onrushing goalkeeper from Curtis Jones’ through ball after Lille had kept things tight early on.
Liverpool’s chances then received a boost early in the second half as Aissa Mandi cynically tripped Luis Díaz when already on a booking, the defender subsequently shown a red card.
Lille then caught Liverpool by surprise, Jonathan David equalising after a shot fell kindly for him.
But Harvey Elliott’s 25-yard effort soon after took a huge deflection en route to the net, putting the hosts back in front.
Darwin Núñez had a late effort disallowed for offside, but it mattered little as the Reds eased to victory in the end, ensuring they need just a point next time out make sure of top spot.
They had been on course to seal first place on the night, but Barcelona’s dramatic turnaround against Benfica ultimately means Hansi Flick’s men are still just about within reach heading into the final matchday.
Our Opta match centre delivers you all the Liverpool vs Lille stats from their Champions League meeting at Anfield.
The match centre below includes team and player stats, expected goals data, passing networks, an Opta chalkboard and more. It gives you everything you need to do your own post-match analysis.
Underneath the match centre you can find the official Opta stats on the game as well.
Liverpool vs Lille: Post-Match Facts
- Virgil Van Dijk has ended on the winning side in 35 of his 50 UEFA Champions League appearances for Liverpool; the joint-most by any player for the Reds through their first 50 games in the European Cup/Champions League (also 35 by Phil Neal).
- Mohamed Salah has been directly involved in 18 goals in 15 appearances for Liverpool at Anfield this season (10 goals, eight assists in all competitions); the most by any player within Europe’s big five leagues at a single venue (one more than Harry Kane at the Allianz Arena, 17).
- Liverpool boss Arne Slot became just the second manager in UEFA Champions League history to win each of his first seven games in charge of a club, after Hansi Flick with Bayern Munich (won first seven between 2019 and 2021).
- Lille have lost each of their last seven games against English sides in the UEFA Champions League, while a third of all of their defeats in the competition have now been suffered against teams from the Premier League (33% – 8/24).
- This is just the third time an English team has won their opening seven matches of a European Cup/UEFA Champions League campaign, with two of those being done by Liverpool (2021-22 and 2024-25 – along with Manchester City in 2023-24).
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