Girona vs Liverpool LIVE: Latest Champions League result and reaction

The mathematics of a complicated competition may remain unclear but one element is apparent. Liverpool will skip the Champions League’s inaugural knock-out play-off round and head straight for the last 16. They in effect booked their place, and a top-eight finish in the group stages, on a night decided by two men who won them the competition in 2019.

Mohamed Salah scored a penalty, as he did in the final then. Alisson Becker saved plenty of shots, as he did on that Madrid night. Now Liverpool have a Spanish double in a couple of weeks, even if Girona acquitted themselves better than Real Madrid did at Anfield. Now Arne Slot has 19 wins in 22 games with Liverpool, a clean sweep of six in Europe for six-time European champions. They have made light work of a difficult draw.

Such are the peculiarities of the format that their reward will be fewer games. Liverpool should now have a midweek off in February, a few days before they visit Manchester City, who could be in the play-off round. That may be the ultimate reward for victory.

Seeing Mohamed Salah reach new goalscoring heights in Liverpool colours is a common occurrence – but with his contract still up in the air, could this be one of his final milestones on Merseyside?

Reds legend Steve McManaman has hailed his former side’s grit to come out of tonight’s contest with all three points – a result that now surely confirms their place in the last 16.

“Any European night is difficult and Liverpool have made it look easy,” he told TNT Sports.

“All in all, Arne Slot can do what he wants in the last couple of games now. The hard work has been done.

“I thought Slot’s transition would be seamless but I have been surprised by the results. To go away and beat Bayer Leverkusen and other teams then beat them comfortably, that has been surprising.”

Liverpool make it six wins out of six in the Champions League as Arne Slot’s side overcome a resilient Girona to claim victory.

It was Mohamed Salah who once again proved the difference, calmly converting his penalty near the hour mark to break the deadlock.

After a frenetic first-half which saw both sides come close to finding the net, Liverpool put on yet another second-half clinic to further strengthen their hold at the top of the Champions League table.

90+4 mins: CHANCE! That could have sealed it for Liverpool.

Lovely give and go between Salah and Szoboszlai before the Egyptian tries curling one, only to see his effort deflected wide.

It’s out for a corner and with seconds to go, that should be it.

90+2 mins: This has been a very professional away performance by Arne Slot’s men.

It’s not been the easiest game by any margin, but they’ve so far held off the Girona storm and are moments away from going six out of six in the Champions League.

They’ve got another free-kick in their own area and Slot is calling for his keeper to hook it up field yet again.

90 mins: Foul by Romeu gives Liverpool a chance to breathe in their final third, with Alisson stepping up to the free-kick to launch one up the field.

Four minutes of added on.

87 mins: Girona are trying to turn up the heat in these final minutes as they search for what could be a campaign-saving equaliser.

As Liverpool look to hold out, Wataru Endo is coming on the steady the ship. Diaz, who won the penalty that separates the two sides, makes way.

84 mins: Nervy times for Girona as Trent Alexander-Arnold stands over a free-kick in proper Alexander-Arnold territory.

The Scouser steps up and whips one over the wall, but Gazzaniga gets across well and makes a comfortable save. The Argentinian stopper then produces a commanding catch to quell any danger from the corner that resulted.