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Liverpool survive Salzburg scare to nick first Champions League win of the season in Anfield classic

Liverpool's Sadio Mane celebrates his sides first goal of the game with teammates
Liverpool's Sadio Mane celebrates his sides first goal of the game with teammates

European Champions Liverpool bounced back from their opening day defeat at Napoli with a thrilling 4-3 win over Red Bull Salzburg

However, Jurgen Klopp’s side were made to work for the three points after a stunning fightback from the Austrian champions.

Having raced into a 3-0 first half lead, last year’s winners were pegged back to 3-3 before Mohamed Salah’s winner gave them the win.

The Reds were ahead after just eight minutes when Sadio Mane went on a blistering solo run before playing a 1-2 with Roberto Firmino then side-footing past Cican Stankovic to open the scoring against his former club.

On 24 minutes, it was 2-0 following a sensational passing move. Andy Robertson picked up the ball from the left back position carrying it infield to find Jordan Henderson who played a 1-2 with Salah before a pinpoint pass to the overlapping run of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Roberston, who had continued his run, beat his marker to get on the end of his opposite full-back’s low cross and stab past Stankovic.

Andy Robertson makes it 2-0 to Liverpool. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Andy Robertson makes it 2-0 to Liverpool. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Takumi Minamino of Red Bull Salzburg celebrates after making it 3-2. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Takumi Minamino of Red Bull Salzburg celebrates after making it 3-2. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Liverpool’s much lauded front three were instrumental in their Champions League triumph last year and the trio combined once more to give the Reds a 3 goal advantage.

Finding space wide on the left hand side, Mane whipped in a cross to pick out the head of Firmino who powered an effort towards goal from close range.

Stankovic reacted quickly but could only parry the ball weakly to Salah who made no mistake with the rebound.

Liverpool were cruising but were caught out just before half time when Hee-Chan Hwang, found space in the box, bamboozling Virgil van Djik with a cut back before blasting past Adrian.

Despite the goal, Jurgen Klopp’s side went into the break with a comfortable and commanding advantage but the Austrians weren’t simply willing to lay down and came back out fighting.

Ten minutes into the second half, Hwang’s cross from the left hand side found Takumi Minamino who smashed a volley past Adrian for 3-2.

Erling Haaland completes the comeback to make it 3-3. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Erling Haaland completes the comeback to make it 3-3. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Salah's finish proved to be the winner
Salah's finish proved to be the winner

Five minutes later, Anfield was left stunned as substitute Erling Braut Haaland looked to have the completed the unlikliest of comebacks to make it 3-3.

The 19-year-old has already made headlines in this season’s competition following his hat-trick in his side’s 6-2 win over Genk in the opening game, but was left on the bench for the trip to England.

However, within minutes of being introduced to the action, the highly rated youngster found himself unmarked at the far post to tap home Minamino’s teasing cross along the six-yard box for, remarkably, his 18th goal of the season.

Liverpool were rocked but managed to steady themselves and reclaim the advantage with 20 minutes on the clock when Mohemed Salah latched onto Firmino’s brilliant ball into the box to power the ball beyond a helpless Stankovic.

The scoring was complete and Liverpool survived a major scare but their opponents will receive huge credit for a stirring fightback and contributing to another memorable European night at Anfield.