Liverpool was not at its electric best against Lille, but looked broadly in control as a slightly rotated side extended the 100 per cent record in the Champions League. Watching Arne Slot's side up close, perhaps for the first time, the French media were impressed with what they saw.

Yet another goal from Mohamed Salah opened the scoring for the Reds, with his fine form a recurring theme of the reports from France. Lille then equalized, against the run of play and a man light, but Harvey Elliott extinguished the comeback five minutes later with a deflected strike.

A dramatic late victory for Barcelona against Benfica means that Liverpool is not quite guaranteed top spot in the league phase. But it has booked its ticket to the last 16 without the need of the play-off round.

READ MORE: 'Envy of the continent' - UK media agree on Arne Slot after latest major Liverpool statement

READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Alexander Isak move, Rayan Cherki update, Diaz to Barcelona links

Lille, meanwhile, will need to win on the last day to secure an impressive top-eight finish of its own. Here's what the French media made of the match.

L'Equipe: "Against these Reds, the slightest mistake is paid for dearly. A ball lost by David on the edge of the local surface was sent by Jones into the path of Salah. In the form of his life, the Egyptian did not fail against Chevalier.

"The latter, very happy to see Salah miss (in the 44th and 47th minutes) was widely called upon. Vigilant, he imposed himself against Nunez (58th), Salah (79th) and Chiesa (82nd, 90th). But he was therefore beaten by his teammate Mukau in the 67th and Lille was never able to come back. With ten men since the 59th and the avoidable expulsion of Mandi, it was mission impossible."

In its notoriously tough ratings, L'Equipe praised Virgil van Dijk. The captain earned a score of 7 out of 10.

Entrevue: "Although trailing in the first half, due to the unstoppable Mohamed Salah (50th goal in the Champions League), Lille were able to pull through and equalize. But the Reds had the final word...

"Beaten 2-1, Lille has 13 points after 7 games and can quite easily consider the last 16 or the play-offs before facing Feyenoord Rotterdam on the last day, next Wednesday. This was not guaranteed before facing Real Madrid, Juventus, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid during this phase of the Champions League regular season.

"For Liverpool, it's a clean sheet. First place. The only team to have won 7 games in 7. That's the competition's scarecrow. A full season, so far, in the league as in Europe."

Le Monde: "The big shot. Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian continues to walk on water this season.

"A scorer tonight and unstoppable on his wing, Mohamed Salah has 22 goals and 17 assists in all competitions. The Premier League's top scorer (18 goals), an undisputed starter in Arne Slot's squad and whose contract expires next June, could however leave Liverpool."

(Thanks for the reminder, Le Monde...)

TF1 Info: "They say that appetite comes with eating. Having beaten Real Madrid (1-0) and then Atlético (1-3) in quick succession , LOSC dreamed of adding Liverpool to their list of conquests.

"But at Anfield, on the pitch of the undisputed leader of the Champions League, the hunter saw his prey slip through his fingers. This time, a prey that was too big for him. Unbeaten since September 17, or 21 matches, in all competitions, the "Dogues" were devoured (2-1) on Tuesday, January 21, by the untamable Reds."