Liverpool2 - 1Lille

On a largely stress-free night, Mohamed Salah put Liverpool ahead, before Lille, who went into the night 21-games unbeaten, had Aissa Mandi sent off for two bookings.

However, Lille gave the hosts a minor scare when Jonathan David levelled, but Harvey Elliott's deflected strike reinstated the lead just five minutes later.

Those three points were enough to seal a top-eight spot for the Reds, who will finish top of the 36-team standings if they pick up a point against PSV Eindhoven next week.

Van Dijk joins club legend on top of illustrious list

Making his 50th Champions League appearance for Liverpool tonight, on the same evening goalkeeper Alisson also hit the same landmark, Van Dijk earned his 35th win in the competition for the club.

That means the Dutch defender has equalled Phil Neal's record for the most wins in their first 50 appearances in the competition for the club, and that is a hugely impressive accolade, considering Neal won the European Cup four times at Anfield.

Van Dijk was a pivotal part of the Liverpool side that regularly challenged deep into multiple Champions League campaigns, winning the competition in 2019.

Under Jurgen Klopp, Van Dijk also reached a further two finals, coming up short against Real Madrid in 2018 and 2022.

Slot equals Champions League record with Lille win

Van Dijk is not the only member in the Liverpool camp walking away from tonight with a piece of history, because manager Slot has also equalled a Champions League record tonight.

With seven wins from seven so far, the Liverpool boss has become just the second manager in the competition's history to win their first seven matches in charge of a club.

Hansi Flick did the same as Bayern Munich manager between 2019 and 2021, during a spell that saw the Bavarians win the Champions League.

It has not been as easy as many previous group stage campaigns either, with Liverpool having to overcome big tests against Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan along the way so far in the league phase.

Slot can set a new record outright if he makes it eight wins from eight when Liverpool go to PSV Eindhoven in their final league phase outing next midweek.

Written by

Andrew Delaney