Champions League: How Liverpool, Spurs Hit Last 16 in Dramatic Night
The two English teams in the Tuesday Champions League fixtures are though to last 16.
Liverpool 1-0 Napoli
- Salah puts hosts ahead (34)
- Liverpool qualify for last 16
- Reds finish second in Group C
- Napoli drop into Europa League
Red hot Mo Salah fired Liverpool into the Champions League last 16 with a priceless Anfield goal to down Napoli.
Also, Lucas Moura’s 85th minute equaliser rescued Tottenham a 1-1 draw at Barcelona which sent them through into the Champions League last 16 as Group B runners up as Inter Milan drew 1-1 with PSV Eindhoven.
Away defeats in Paris, Belgrade and Napoli had put Liverpool in a sticky situation but a narrow victory was enough to see off the prospect of a Group stage exit and Europa League football in the New Year.
And they were rewarded after 34 minutes when Salah superbly fired Klopp’s stars into a vital lead as he sliced through Napoli’s defence.
Salah shaved post after 50 minutes as Liverpool wasted a host of second half chances against carlo Ancelotti’s side.
But with Napoli only needing a goal to put Liverpool out it was tense and nervy second half before victory was finally clinched to Klopps relief.
Meanwhile, Barca, already through as group winners, made several changes from their usual team with Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Co on the bench.
However they only took seven minutes to take the lead with Ousmane Dembele waltzing through to score a fine individual goal.
Heung-Min Son should twice have equalised for Spurs as they fought back, but Philippe Coutinho hit the post at the other end just before the break as Barca issued Spurs a warning.
Spurs dominated possession after the break and Barca threw Messi on in response.
The chances kept coming for Spurs but Jasper Cillessen was equal to them, clawing away Lucas Moura’s header brilliantly.