Liverpool are still perfect in this season’s Champions League after recording a 1-0 win over Girona at the Estadi Montilivi. The Reds arrived in Spain having won all five previous games in the league phase - the only side to have done so - thus guaranteeing themselves a knockout play-off place at the very least.
The all-important goal came just after the hour mark when Mohamed Salah sent Paulo Gazzaniga the wrong way from the penalty spot after the referee - following a VAR check - pointed to the spot as ex-Manchester United midfielder Donny Van de Beek was adjudged to have fouled Luis Diaz.
Another positive for Arne Slot Liverpool was the performance of Alisson Becker on his return to action. The Brazilian had been sidelined for two months but commanded his box at corners and produced fine stops to deny Arnaut Danjuma, Alejandro Frances and Yaser Asprilla to ensure the Reds kept their first clean sheet away from home since the win over RB Leipzig on matchday three.
Girona vs Liverpool latest news
- GOAL! Salah penalty breaks the deadlock
- Liverpool XI confirmed: Alisson starts
- Girona XI confirmed: Van de Beek starts
FULL-TIME
19:39 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFT: Girona 0-1 Liverpool
Girona 0-1 Liverpool
19:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+3 min: Quick break from Liverpool sees the ball end up at Salah’s feet but his effort is deflected behind for a corner.
Seconds remain.
Girona 0-1 Liverpool
19:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+2 min: We have played half of the four minutes of added on time and Liverpool win a free-kick deep in their own half.
Girona 0-1 Liverpool
19:29 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne88 min: Arne Slot looking to shore this up as he brings on Wataru Endo for Luis Diaz.
Girona 0-1 Liverpool
19:28 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne86 min: The most obvious yellow card of the evening goes to Frances as he pulls back Cody Gakpo.
Alexander-Arnold then stings the hands of Gazzaniga.
Girona 0-1 Liverpool
19:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne84 min: Free-kick to Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold territory as he forces a decent save from Gazzaniga.
Girona 0-1 Liverpool
19:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne81 min: Girona threaten but Martin sees his effort blocked before Virgil van Dijk is in the right place at the right time to make a headed clearance.
Girona 0-1 Liverpool
19:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne78 min: Yellow card for Joe Gomez for a foul on Stuani.
Girona 0-1 Liverpool
19:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne76 min: More changes for both sides. Solis and Martin are on in place of Donny Van de Beek and Daley Blind, whilst Harvey Elliott replaces Curtis Jones for Liverpool.
Girona 0-1 Liverpool
19:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne71 min: Girona make a double change as Michel rolls the dice in search of an equaliser.
On: Stuani and Portu
Off: Gil and Danjuma
Girona 0-1 Liverpool
19:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne70 min: Cody Gakpo replaces Darwin Nunez in Liverpool’s first change.
Girona 0-1 Liverpool
19:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne67 min: Decent response from Girona to falling behind, though Liverpool are standing strong now they have a lead to protect.
Just under 20 minutes left to play.
GOAL! Girona 0-1 Liverpool | Mohamed Salah '63
19:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne63 min: No mistake from Mohamed Salah as he sends Gazzaniga the wrong way to break the deadlock.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
19:02 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne60 min: The referee is sent to the monitor to check and he awards Liverpool a penalty as Donny Van de Beek trips Luis Diaz.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
19:01 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne59 min: Brilliant ball from Gravenberch to Robertson who tries to catch out Gazzaniga at the near post, but the Girona keeper makes the save.
VAR check for a Liverpool penalty taking place.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
18:59 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne57 min: More great defending by Girona as Krejci nods Alexander-Arnold’s cross away when the ball looked destined to drop for Nunez.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
18:56 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne54 min: Now it’s Oriol Romeu - ex-Chelsea, Southampton and Barcelona - in the book for a foul on Darwin Nunez.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
18:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne53 min: Luis Diaz is shown a yellow card...for slipping.
Replays showed minimal, if any, contact with Frances.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
18:53 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne52 min: Girona are doing a good job at getting numbers around Mohamed Salah whenever he’s in and around the box.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
18:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne49 min: Fantastic run from Danjuma as he wriggles past two challenges but he produces an awful finish. Huge let-off for Liverpool.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
18:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne46 min: Alisson called into action right at the start of the second half as he keeps out an effort from Danjuma.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
18:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne46 min: Back underway at the Estadi Montilivi.
Second half hope
18:42 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIt may be goalless at the break but it’s worth pointing out that eight of Liverpool’s 12 Champions League goals have been scored in the second half.
Champions League latest
18:38 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIt’s also goalless in today’s other 5.45pm kick-off in the Champions League as Celtic are being held by Dinamo Zagreb.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
18:31 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHALF-TIME: Girona 0-0 Liverpool
No added time as the whistle blows on an entertaining half of football. Both keepers have been tested, perhaps more so Alisson Becker, but he’s been impressive on his return to action.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
18:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne44 min: Liverpool work the ball well down the left but there’s no takers for Robertson’s cross.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
18:29 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne43 min: Danjuma cuts inside and attempts to curl one into the top corner, yet his effort is closer to the corner flag than the back of the net.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
18:27 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne41 min: Into the closing stages of the first-half as Gutierrez wins a free-kick off Alexander-Arnold.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
18:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne38 min: Good build up play from Girona as the ball falls to Yáser Asprilla on the edge of the box. He lets fly but Alisson is equal to the effort and palms the ball away for a corner.
From the resulting set-piece, the Brazilian comes to claim and eases the pressure.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
18:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne37 min: This game is opening up now but, surprisingly, Girona slow things down when a number of Liverpool players were still upfield after Curtis Jones had lost possession.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
18:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne35 min: Darwin Nunez gets caught in two minds and fluffs his lines. Seconds later he’s played in by Mohamed Salah but can’t squeeze the ball past Gazzaniga who makes a good save with his legs.
Liverpool keep the pressure on as Andy Robertson sees his effort deflected.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
18:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne33 min: Danjuma wins a corner for the home side as his shot hits Alexander-Arnold.
The delivery is good but Alisson commands his box and punches the ball clear.
Girona are able to sustain the attack and force another corner as Gravenberch gets across to block Frances’s shot.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
18:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne31 min: Girona aren’t shy of taking risks even deep in their own half. They get lucky on this occasion as an attempted back pass deflects off Darwin Nunez but falls kindly for Gazzaniga.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
18:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne28 min: Still goalless, but both goalkeepers have been called into action.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
18:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne24 min: Frances goes down holding his face after being brushed off by Luis Diaz.
Nothing in it and the game continues.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
18:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne22 min: Yáser Asprilla nicks the ball from Dominik Szoboszlai but his forward pass is easily intercepted.
Liverpool race up the other end and Mohamed Salah’s intended cross for Luis Diaz is cut out.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
18:07 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne20 min: Great ball whipped in by Trent Alexander-Arnold and even better defending by Girona to concede a corner.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
18:03 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne17 min: Sustained possession for Girona leads to Gutierrez forcing Alisson into another save before Gil fires over from the rebound.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
17:59 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne14 min: Bryan Gil springs the offside trap but slips at the vital time and Alisson Becker collects the ball.
That would have been interesting had the winger scored because the flag didn’t go up.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
17:58 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne11 min: First real Girona attack almost leads to a goal as Alisson Becker is called into action on his return.
After a mishit from Daley Blind, the Brazilian makes a good save from Frances.
Safe to say the Girona fans were encouraged by that.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
17:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne10 min: Girona sitting deep, looking for a loose touch to spring a counter-attack. But Liverpool have generally kept the ball well as they look for an opening.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
17:53 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne7 min: Ryan Gravenberch does superbly to skip past a couple of tackles, he slips in Darwin Nunez who then forces a routine save from Paulo Gazzaniga.
Feels like it’s going to be a long evening for the Girona goalkeeper.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
17:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne4 min: From the resulting corner, Joe Gomez rises highest to meet Andy Robertson’s cross but Paulo Gazzaniga is equal to the effort and tips the ball over the bar.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
17:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne3 min: Girona place themselves under pressure and it’s their own doing after Gutierrez puts the ball out of play for corner after attempting a pass to his goalkeeper.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
17:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne2 min: Liverpool just keeping the ball in these opening exchanges, Ryan Gravenberch attempts to pick out Mohamed Salah but the Dutchman overhits his pass.
Girona 0-0 Liverpool
17:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne1 min: KICK-OFF!
The coin toss is won by Liverpool and they get us underway in this Champions League clash.
Here we go!
17:42 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePlayers have emerged from the tunnel and out onto the pitch.
The Champions League anthem will blast through the speakers, followed by the player handshakes, team photo and then kick-off.
Here we go!
17:41 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePlayers have emerged from the tunnel and out onto the pitch.
The Champions League anthem will blast through the speakers, followed by the player handshakes, team photo and then kick-off.
Slot on Alisson recall
17:38 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLiverpool boss Arne Slot says Alisson Becker is “completely ready” after returning to the starting lineup for this evening’s Champions League clash.
"Really good, first of all for him and for us,” the Dutchman told TNT Sport. "He's worked really hard to come back, we didn't want to take any risks at all and that's why we didn't put him in earlier.
"Now, in our opinion, he is completely ready fitness-wise."
Not long now!
17:33 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLess than 15 minutes to go until kick-off at the Estadi Montilivi
Liverpool aiming to make it six straight wins in this season's Champions League league phase.
Leaky Liverpool
17:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLiverpool have one of the meanest defences in the Champions League this season, conceding just once in their five games so far.
However, the Reds are leaking goals at an alarming rate on the road at the moment, conceding two or more in their last four away games across all competitions.
Girona hope
17:23 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGirona may go into today’s game sitting 30th in the table but, regardless of the result against Liverpool, they’ll have a chance to qualify for the play-off round in their final two games.
Though they do face AC Milan and Arsenal in the new year.
Gravenberch: "I am just happy"
17:17 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRyan Gravenberch says he’s pleased to be showing Liverpool fans what he’s really capable of following a frustrating first season.
“For me, the first season was not that frustrating,” he told reporters. “My aim was to play a lot more minutes than I had before and I did.
“Now, I am just happy to play 90 minutes again and be every game on the pitch and that I show myself. I am really happy to be part of this team.”
Goalkeeping pecking order
17:12 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFormer Liverpool winger Steve McManaman has weighed in on the goalkeeping debate with Caoimhin Kelleher making way for Alisson Becker this evening.
“He’s certainly done himself justice, but unfortunately there’s no role like it in a football team. There’s a number one and there’s a pecking order with the goalkeepers,” he said on TNT Sport.
“That is the No.1, Alisson Becker.”
UEFA Youth League result
17:04 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEarlier today the respective youth teams played out a four-goal thriller in the UEFA Youth League.
Trent Kone-Doherty’s late equaliser earned Liverpool’s U19s - with 10-men - a 2-2 draw with Girona in their final game of the league phase.
Trent Kone-Doherty’s late equaliser earned 10-man #LFCU19s a 2-2 draw with Girona in their final game of the league phase of the UEFA Youth League ⚽
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 10, 2024
Liverpool dressing room
16:58 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBehind the scenes at the Estadi Montilivi as the away team’s dressing room is prepared ahead of kick-off.
A look inside the away dressing room 🎥🟢 pic.twitter.com/AaTHbgcYL8
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 10, 2024
Liverpool's bench
16:52 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneJust to highlight the lack of options at Arne Slot’s disposal this evening, he’s only selected eight substitutes from a maximum allowance of 12.
Youngsters James McConnell and James Norris have made the trip whilst Alexis Mac Allister, Diogo Jota, Federico Chiesa, Ibrahima Konate, Conor Bradley and Konstantinos Tsimikas are all back in the UK.
Familiar names in the Girona XI
16:46 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGirona have named a side packed with players who will be familiar to those who follow the Premier League.
Paulo Gazzaniga, Daley Blind, Donny Van de Beek, Oriol Romeu, Bryan Gil and Arnaut Danjuma all start for the hosts as does ex-Watford youngster Yáser Asprilla.
𝐄𝐋 𝐍𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄 𝐎𝐍𝐙𝐄! ❤️🤍#GIRLIV #UCL pic.twitter.com/c4CR1w4pc8
— Girona FC (@GironaFC) December 10, 2024
Alisson returns
16:41 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe big team news for Liverpool is the return of Alisson Becker in goal after two months on the sidelines. He replaces Caoimhin Kelleher in one of four changes made from the side that started at Newcastle United last time out.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz and Dominik Szoboszlai also return to the XI with Jarell Quansah, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo making way.
How we line up to take on Girona 💫🟢 #UCL
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 10, 2024
Substitutes
16:36 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGirona substitutes: Lopez, Garcia, Martinez, Lopez, Stuani, Ruiz, Solis, Martin, Portu, Clua, Kim, Jastin Garcia
Liverpool substitutes: Jaros, Kelleher, Endo, Gakpo, Elliott, McConnell, Norris, Quansah
Girona XI
16:33 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGirona XI: Gazzaniga; Frances, Juanpe, Krejci, Blind; Van de Beek, Romeu, Gutierrez; Asprilla, Gil; Danjuma
Liverpool XI
16:32 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLiverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Darwin, Diaz
Team news imminent
16:27 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are expecting the team news to be announced shortly.
Stay tuned...
Champions League fixtures today
16:24 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is how matchday six of this season’s Champions League league phase is shaping up tonight.
Some huge fixtures taking place:
Dinamo Zagreb vs Celtic
Girona vs Liverpool
Atalanta vs Real Madrid
Bayer Leverkusen vs Inter Milan
Brest vs PSV Eindhoven
Club Brugge vs Sporting Lisbon
RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa
Red Bull Salzburg vs Paris Saint-Germain
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Bayern Munich
Girona form
16:16 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGirona were arguably the surprise package in La Liga this season and qualifying for the Champions League was a massive achievement.
This season, however, they’ve been steady but go into today’s game on the back of one victory in their last five games.
Furthermore, Girona have been dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Spanish fourth division side Logrones and lost 3-0 at home to Real Madrid in the past week.
Predicted Liverpool XI
16:09 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWith Arne Slot confirming he has no plans to rotate his side this evening, it will be interesting to see what team he selects against Girona.
Of course, the Dutchman has Alisson Becker available for selection once again following injury but Caoimhin Kelleher has excelled in his absence so an immediate recall may not happen,
Click here as we attempt to predict the Liverpool XI vs Girona.
The calm before the storm at the quaint Estadi Montilivi, which has a capacity of just 14,624.
Liverpool were given an allocation of only 492 tickets for this trip...
Slot uncertain if top-eight finish would benefit title bid
15:51 , George FloodArne Slot also insisted that he was unsure if clinching a top-eight spot in the Champions League would benefit his side’s Premier League title push.
The first-eight finishers in the new-look competition this year qualify directly for the last 16, while the teams that place ninth to 24th go through to a two-legged play-off tie and the rest are eliminated from Europe altogether.
"If we end up in the top eight I assume these clubs end up in the top eight as well: Arsenal I think 95 percent sure, City have to do a bit more maybe but they are able to win three times in a row so then they will be in top eight," said Slot.
"Of course it seems to be really helpful to end up first eight but if every time you play all your (first-choice) starters, as we have done almost every time, then you also need the results because we try to finish as high as possible and also to skip the next round.
"If in the end it means by playing starters always and skipping the next round and still we have a very difficult draw then maybe we will think about it differently next season, what we will do in the group stage.
"You never know if it (missing the play-off round) is an advantage. Until now we have played every three days and we haven't done that bad - maybe we should implement some friendly games if we finish top eight!
"But we are pushing really hard to finish top eight for the best possible seeding but also to skip that round."
No Liverpool rotation as Slot plans strong team tonight
15:44 , George FloodStill boasting an impressive 100 per cent record in the Champions League against a team who have just one win to their name in the competition so far, Arne Slot could be forgiven for rotating his squad in Spain this evening.
However, having been afforded an unexpected weekend off following the postponement of the Merseyside derby and with designs on securing safe passage through to the last 16 as quickly as possible, the Dutchman has no plans to field a weakened team against Girona.
"If we played Everton we might have played the same team but you never know what that intense fixture could lead to," Slot told reporters last night.
"I think it was a good decision to cancel it and if you play a special game like that it needs to be played in good circumstances, it was a good decision.
"Now everyone is really ready so no reason to rotate from last match, so we will start with a very good team tomorrow."
Girona vs Liverpool prediction
15:34 , George FloodGirona have lost all but one of their European games so far this season and have it all to do against a strong Liverpool outfit.
Liverpool to win, 3-1.
Early Girona team news: Hosts suffer Miovski blow
15:32 , George FloodGirona’s list of absentees tonight includes former Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski, who is sidelined after suffering an ankle injury in training.
Ukraine winger Viktor Tsygankov and midfielder Yangel Herrera are also missing, while Colombian Jhon Solis is a doubt.
Early Liverpool team news: Alisson returns but Mac Allister banned
15:23 , George FloodLiverpool are boosted tonight by the return of first-choice goalkeeper Alisson, who trained at Kirkby on Monday before being named in Arne Slot’s 19-man travelling squad.
The Brazilian has missed the last 11 matches across all competitions with a hamstring tendon injury sustained in the win over Crystal Palace in early October, though should replace deputy Caoimhin Kelleher in Catalonia.
Diogo Jota was also back in training on Monday after several weeks out with a chest issue, though is not part of the squad tonight.
Summer signing Federico Chiesa had been on the verge of being back involved for Liverpool this week, but misses out again with illness.
Slot remains without defenders Ibrahima Konate, Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas due to injury, while Alexis Mac Allister is suspended.
How to watch Girona vs Liverpool
15:18 , George FloodTV channel: Today’s game will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 1.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers will also be able to watch on a live stream online via the Discovery+ website and app.
Girona vs Liverpool live
15:16 , George FloodGood evening and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Girona vs Liverpool in the Champions League.
The Reds travel to Spain today boasting a 100 per cent record in the new league phase and sitting top of the standings with five wins from five so far, as they look to secure the latest victory that could see them seal automatic progress through to the last 16 with two games to spare, depending on results elsewhere.
Arne Slot’s side will be eager to return to winning ways after seeing a formidable sequence of seven straight wins across all competitions halted in a six-goal thriller at Newcastle, before then having their Merseyside derby clash with Everton postponed.
Girona - last season’s LaLiga surprise package who are part of the City Football Group - are preparing to face English opposition for the first time tonight, having won just once so far in their maiden campaign in the Champions League.
Kick-off at the Estadi Montilivi is at the earlier time of 5:45pm GMT, so stay tuned for all the latest build-up, team news and live updates.
