Liverpools first home Champions league match was against Red Bull Salzburg, a match up that turned out to be a very tough encounter indeed. Liverpool saw a defeat first time out coming from an away trip to Napoli, which ended as we all know with a 2 - 0 deficit.
Tonight's action from the the reds have started to ask some doubts about our #2 Adrian, after again deciding to make some questionable decisions. Hopefully with the mention of a return at weekend for Allison the pressure will be taken off Adrian as lets all remember he is our #2 keeper and to say he's been thrown in at the deep end, I personally don't think he's done to bad.
So the game kicked off in usual fashion after winning the toss Liverpool where to shoot towards Anfield rd, Andreas Ekberg blew the whistle to get the match underway. Both sides got off to a fantastic start with Takumi Minamino taking an early curling shot from the edge of the box in the 3rd minute, which just went the wrong side of the left post.
Liverpools Bobby Firmino manages to send the ball up and over in to the box, but to no avail the ball is put out and for a corner by the oppositions defense. Trent Alexander takes the corner which is also deflected out by Red Bull Salzburgs defense.
With a few minutes passing of end to end football, Bobby finally finds Sadio with a cheeky pass across the box and in the 9th minute he finds the back of the net to make it 1 - 0 .
An end to end battle was starting to unfold, Red Bull Salzberg had obviously done their homework around how Liverpool press the play. This was looking like it was going to be an easy match with the attacking content coming from Liverpool, Red Bull Salzburg on the other hand had other ideas.
I had predicted this match to be a tough one and boy was I right. The rough challenges coming from Red Bull Salzburg meant Liverpool found it difficult to find their top gear, with Liverpool thankful Red Bull Salzburgs Norwegian wonder-kid not being on the pitch.
Until the crowd erupted on the 25th minute when Andy Robertson tucked home Liverpools 2nd, with a lovely side through ball assist from Liverpools other full back Trent Alexander. Mo Salah should of real had his first in the 30th minute when he managed to create a yard for himself just in front of goal but sent it just wide of the post.
Takumi Minamino manages to make a short bit of room where he takes a quick driven shot towards goal, where Adrian makes a fantastic diving save to deny the visitors and turn out for a corner. The play started to form for Red Bull Salzburg and you have to give it to them even being two down they where relentless.
Liverpool had gained possession and was on the break, a string of good passes led to the 36th minute just as Red Bull Salzburg had started to gain momentum, Liverpools Bobby Firmino strikes an absolute blinder at goal which ricochets back in to the box of Red Bull Salzburgs keeper only to drop to the feet of our very own Egyptian king Mo Salah who tucked it away comfortably for number three.
Still Red Bull Salzburg would not sit down, the fight in that team is impeccable and their coach is doing an amazing job. Liverpool thought as it semed, was to go in to the half with a three goal lead. Until three minutes later in the 39th minute Red Bull Salzburgs Hee-Chan Hwang creates a fantastic individual effort which inevitably finds the back of the net and this time Adrian has no chance 3 - 1.
A few rough minutes later and the referee decides to blow the whistle for half time.
Liverpool seemed to get off to a bit of a shaky start in the second half, or more like Red Bull Salzburg just don't know when to give up. For myself I had expected this as this being Red Bull Salzburgs first trip to Anfield, they would take every opportunity and relish this chance to play within one of the most prestigious grounds in Europe.
And in the 56th minute they took their chance, with Takumi Minamino showing good skill within the box and fires home Red Bull Salzburgs 2nd of the evening with the assist going to the first goal scorer Hwang. A substitute from Red Bull Salzburg meant Liverpools fans fears where coming true and on comes the Norwegian wonder-kid Erling Haaland for Patson Daka.
I said to be fearful of him and within 4 minutes of Haaland coming on number three was in 3 - 3, with Takumi Minamino finding through great vision, Haaland 2 feet from the goal with a perfect accross the box pass for the young Norwegian to tap home.
The tension within Anfield had started to rise, 3 - 0 up to now being 3 - 3, a score seen previous on the boards at the start of the game, only a mistake or so we thought. Milner was brought on for Henderson and the Liverpool side seemed to put it up another gear, with the play starting to go Liverpools way again.
And low and behold the continuous pressure from Liverpool led to the 69th minute, in which Bobby manages to dink the ball across the box to the feet of Mo Salah you doesn't need asking twice to sink in to the back of the net 4 - 3.
Red Bull Salzburg where still not accepting defeat and a relentless end to the second half was to be had with Salzburg nearly hitting the back of the net on more than one occasion. Liverpool will have to review this match closely as tonight could of been a lot worse given the good result coming from the other match up in the group, resulting in a 0 - 0 game.