Soccer
Defensive errors gift Liverpool first-leg win over Leipzig
Things were going well for RB Leipzig in their Champions League last-16 first-leg match against Liverpool — until just before the hour mark, that is.
After holding the Premier League side to a scoreless draw through the first 57 minutes of play on Tuesday, the Red Bulls threw away all the good work they had achieved through two horrendous gaffes just five minutes apart, gifting Liverpool a 2-0 victory.
Played at Puskas Arena in Hungary due to Germany's COVID-19 restrictions on travellers from the United Kingdom, the match had no obvious better side until the goals as the teams effectively cancelled each other out. However, the first miscue was committed in the 58th minute as a backpass meant for Leipzig defender Lukas Klostermann at the top of the penalty area was instead played directly to Mohamed Salah, who appreciatively slotted past a helpess Peter Gulacsi to break the deadlock.
Five minutes later another costly mistake led directly to a Liverpool goal, as Nordi Mukiele whiffed on a relatively easy clearance attempt to allow Sadio Mane a 30-yard breakaway attempt at Gulasci's net. With Mukiele still on the ground after fruitless swing at the ball, Mane easily placed the ball behind the onrushing Leipzig 'keeper to put the match out of reach.
The rest of the contest went as most of the opening hour did, with little between the sides. Liverpool played out the match to hold onto the victory, setting up a return leg March 10 at Anfield in which the English champions will hold a crucial two-goal advantage.
