KEY POINTS

  • Salah and Keita scored in Liverpool's 2-0 win over Salzburg
  • Liverpool finished on the top of Group E 
  • Salah became just the 2nd Liverpool player to score 20 UCL goals

Mohamed Salah scored an unbelievable goal to ensure defending champions Liverpool FC proceeded to the Round of 16 Tuesday night in the Champions League.

Liverpool, who needed at least a point to qualify for the next round, clinched a 2-0 victory over Redbull Salzburg, courtesy of goals from Nabi Keita and Salah. After the clubs went into the half-time break at 0-0, Keita opened the scoring at the 57th minute.

Liverpool ensured they were going into the Round of 16 just 100 seconds later when Salah produced a right-footed finish from a ridiculously tough angle.

The Reds boss Jurgen Klopp hailed his forward as he said Salah played a significant in Liverpool's win on the final day of the group stage.

Salah, who missed a few brilliant chances before scoring the exceptional goal at the 58th minute, etched his name in the history of Liverpool club as he became only the second Reds player to score 20 goals in the European premier tournament.

Former skipper Steven Gerrard was the first Liverpool player to do so who had netted as many as 30 goals in the Champions League during his stint with his childhood club.

Acknowledging Salah's efforts Tuesday night in Austria, Klopp insisted that the Egyptian's persistence despite the misses was one of the major reasons for the reigning champions' victory.

Mohamed Salah's strike from a tight angle sealed Liverpool's 2-0 win in Salzburg as they went through to the Champions League last 16
Mohamed Salah's strike from a tight angle sealed Liverpool's 2-0 win in Salzburg as they went through to the Champions League last 16 APA / BARBARA GINDL

"Thank God I don’t have to [explain the finish], it was for sure the most difficult situation he had tonight. He played really well but didn’t score in the situations we expect him to score, staying on track and making such a decisive but difficult finish says probably much more about him than all the other goals he scored. He stayed concentrated, believed in the next moment and it was a very, very good goal. A sensational finish," Klopp heaped praise on Salah after Liverpool's 2-0 win over Salzburg.

With four wins, a loss and a draw, Klopp's side finished on the top of Group E ahead of the Italian club, Napoli.