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Liverpool survive Salzburg shock in seven-goal thriller


Bangladeshpost
Published : 03 Oct 2019 06:25 PM | Updated : 06 Sep 2020 08:33 PM

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes even the European champions have plenty of room for improvement after surviving a huge Champions League scare to beat Salzburg 4-3 after blowing a three-goal lead, reports AFP.

Sadio Mane opened the scoring against his former club before Andy Robertson and Salah put the holders in command inside the first 36 minutes before Salzburg bared their teeth.

The Austrian champions' teenage striking sensation Erling Braut Haaland was only fit enough for a place on the bench, but they still packed a punch going forward and were rewarded when Hwang Hee-Chan pulled a goal back just before half-time.

Takumi Minamino and Haaland, just four minutes after coming on as a substitute, then brought Salzburg level on the hour mark.

However, Salah had the final word as the Egyptian smashed home the winner 21 minutes from time. "I thought we were outstanding in the first 30 minutes," added Klopp.

"The momentum changed and it was really difficult to get a foot in the game. We had to wait until they had scored the third goal, then we were able to strike back."

"We opened the door and they were running through, chasing through the door," said Klopp.

"It's better to learn the lessons during the game than talk about it after it.

"It was a very important lesson for us to learn. I knew before we have to improve and now everyone knows."

"At 3-3 we had put a lot into it, maybe our guys were a little bit tired and it's an incredible team we're playing against," said Salzburg's American manager Jesse Marsch.

"The important thing is to learn from this loss to give ourselves a chance to get out of this group."Liverpool were under pressure to make fortress Anfield count after losing 2-0 to Napoli on matchday one.

Klopp's men lost all three of their away group games last season, but won all three of their home games to sneak through before going on to win the competition for a sixth time.