Liverpool secured a vital 2-0 away victory in Budapest against RB Leipzig on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 clash. The Reds’ goals came courtesy of two absolutely horrendous Leipzig errors that could spell the end of the Bundesliga side’s time in the Champions League.
The two bizarre mistakes fit the theme of an unusual night. Due to fears of the UK Covid-19 strain Leipzig was forced to play its “home” leg in a country in which the club has never played.
The first half showed signs of promise for both sides as quality opportunities at goal fell both ways. The highlight of the first half was Leipzig’s goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi turning into a human-missile and flying into his own net. Gulascsi ventured way out of his own penalty area to make a clearance and immediately regretted it.
¡Gulácsi, Gulácsi, Gulácsi! Rifando el físico de manera espectacular
¡En vivo!
@tudnusa
https://t.co/v9KKnCGOG5 pic.twitter.com/cmAYNeFFqr— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) February 16, 2021
Liverpool left-back Andrew Robertson attempted to score from 60 yards vs RB Leipzig.
He missed the target, but it is fair to say he had goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi worried.#LFC #UCL #RBLLIV #ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/JD4trUu5hn— bwin (@bwin) February 16, 2021
Gulacsi’s head would be the only round object that found the back of the net for Leipzig.
Roberto Firmino thought for a moment he had scored the game’s opening goal in the 36th minute, but the assistant referee’s laser precision eyes from the far side said “not so fast.”
Was it a goal? pic.twitter.com/6n2jVDB0Ks
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) February 16, 2021
Liverpool would snatch the game’s opener in the second half.
Eight minutes into the second half a nightmare-inducing pass from Leipzig’s Marcel Sabitzer gifted Mohamed Salah with a golden opportunity that he kindly buried.
Mo Salah. Clinical. pic.twitter.com/2JoAQicTTZ
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) February 16, 2021
Five minutes after Sabitzer’s error, his teammate Nordi Mukiele made an equally spectacular blunder that allowed Sadio Mané to double Liverpool’s lead. This looks identical to when you press the wrong button in FIFA and slide tackle when you meant to clear it.
53' — Mo Salah
58' — Sadio ManeLiverpool are cooking. pic.twitter.com/pDX3nEywHg— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) February 16, 2021
The two Leipzig lapses in concentration proved to be the only goals of the game as the Red Bulls couldn’t convert at the other end despite several golden opportunities. USMNT talent Tyler Adams nearly notched an assist in stoppage time with a perfect through ball to Hwang Hee-chan, but the forward dragged his shot wide.
Speaking of Adams, we must ask the all-important question for American readers:
How Did Tyler Adams Do?
Adams played the full 90 minutes in a right wing-back position and put in a solid shift despite the loss.
The New York native was able to create several opportunities for the Red Bulls and played decent in defense.
Adams became the first American to play against Liverpool in the Champions League since Landon Donovan did with Bayer Leverkusen in 2005.
Adams and Leipzig will attempt to overcome the 2-0 aggregate on March 10.
