RB Leipzig are without a point in three UEFA Champions League games this season after suffering a narrow defeat to English Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Leipzig 0-1 Liverpool
Goal: 0-1 Nuñez 27' (assist: Salah)

The first half was a hotly contested affair, with hosts Leipzig looking the livelier attacking force in the opening stages, but fans at the Red Bull Arena were given a real shock just before the half-hour mark when Darwin Nuñez put Liverpool ahead with a close-range finish from Mo Salah's far-post header. Péter Gulácsi denied the Uruguayan striker a second shortly afterwards, and then stopped Virgil van Dijk's effort to keep his side from falling further behind, while Benjamin Šeško proved the home side's most dangerous threat.

The second half was just as tight as the first, and although Gulácsi continued the heroics by thwarting Cody Gakpo and Nuñez once again, Leipzig struggled to recreate the pressure they had put on Liverpool early in the first half, and were lucky that Alexis Mac Allister's effort crashed off the bar. There were chances for Šeško and Xavi before Marco Rose rang the changes with 15 minutes to go, but the much-desired lift failed to materialise and Leipzig, despite being unbeaten in the league, remain without a point so far in Europe this season.  

Match stats

• Šeško already has three goals in the Champions League this season and is the team's top goalscorer in all competitions with six.
• Rose's side have now lost just three of their last 12 home matches in all competitions, although both of those defeats came in the Champions League.
• Leipzig had won four of their last six Champions League group stage matches prior to the start of 2024/25.
  At 21, Xavi boasts 30 goals and assists in 53 competitive appearances for Leipzig.
• Ibrahima Konaté and Dominik Szoboszlai both played for Leipzig before moving to Liverpool in 2021 and 2023 respectively, while Péter Gulácsi spent six years on the Reds' books earlier in his career, although he never made an appearance for them.
• Only Emil Forsberg (41) has made more Champions League appearances for Leipzig than Yussuf Poulsen (38).

Line-ups 

Leipzig: Gulácsi - Geertruida (Bitshiabu 74'), Orbán (c), Lukeba, Henrichs - Haidara (Elmas 86'), Vermeeren (Kampl 74'), Nusa - Šeško (Baumgartner 74'), Xavi (Poulsen 78') - Openda

Unused subs: Vandevoordt, André Silva, Gebel

Out: Raum (ankle), Ouédraogo (knee), Schlager (knee), Seiwald (adductor)

Coach: Marco Rose

Liverpool: Kelleher - Alexander-Arnold (Gomez 75'), Van Dijk (c), Konaté, Tsimikas (Robertson 75') - Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister - Salah (Luis Díaz 63'), Núñez (Jones 74'), Gakpo

Unused subs: Jaroš, Davies, Endo, Quansah, Morton, Nyon
Out: Allison (hamstring), Chiesa (knock), Elliott (foot), Jota (chest)

Coach: Arne Slot

As it happened!

0 - 1

(0 - 1)

Leipzig

FINAL

Liverpool

Champions League
League phase, Matchday 3 League phase, Matchday 3 Red Bull Arena

Full-time: Leipzig 0-1 Liverpool

A very high quality match ends with just a single goal thanks to some spectacular goalkeeping from Gulácsi and Kelleher. Leipzig faced arguably Europe's most in-form team, and despite being second best, could have easily taken something from the game.

© IMAGO/Martin Stein

Full-time

90'

+ 4

Last save for Gulácsi?

Díaz is stopped and Szoboszlai misses the rebound. That could be that.

90'

+ 2

Bitshiabu keeps Leipzig in it

The sub makes a crucial last-ditch interception to stop a Diaz tap-in. Can Leipzig make the most of it with a stoppage time goal?

90'

+ 1

What a waste!

Baumgartner plays a sublime through ball for Openda and all he has to do is square to Yussuf Poulsen for the equaliser but he messes up the final ball.

89'

Gakpo again

Liverpool interrupt Leipzig's rhythm with a swift attack and Gakpo draws another fine save from Gulácsi .

86'

Substitution

Eljif Elmas

Amadou Haidara

85'

New energy from Leipzig

The home side are going all out in these final 10 minutes and Liverpool are shaking.

Denied by the offside flag!

Benjamin Henrichs does superbly to make his way around the Liverpool defence to the right of the six yard box and provokes a great save from Kelleher. Openda is there to poke in the follow up but he's soon called offside.

© IMAGO/Roger Petzsche

80'

Liverpool's subs seem to have worked

The away side are back all over the ball with Díaz, Robertson and Jones seeing plenty of it.

Worry for Xavi

Xavi comes off with the help of stewards after a collision with Robertson

© Maja Hitij

77'

Substitution

Yussuf Poulsen

Xavi Simons

76'

Triple subs from both sides

Rose makes three changes and Liverpool instantly respond with their own.

75'

Substitution

Joe Gomez

Trent Alexander-Arnold

75'

Substitution

Andy Robertson

Kostas Tsimikas

75'

Substitution

Curtis Jones

Darwin Núñez

75'

Substitution

El Chadaille Bitshiabu

Lutsharel Geertruida

74'

Substitution

Kevin Kampl

Arthur Vermeeren

74'

Substitution

Christoph Baumgartner

Benjamin Šeško

73'

Big Kelleher save!

It's another big stop from Liverpool's keeper as a Xavi shot from range is deflected and looks like it's going into the back of the net before he sticks out an arm.

72'

Half of the Red Bull Arena think they're level!

Xavi feeds Šeško who provokes a big save from Kelleher and then Nusa puts the rebound in the side netting. Half of the stadium thought it was in.

69'

Off the bar!

Liverpool string a move around the home box and it ends with Mac Allister lining up a shot from range which crashes off the bar.

67'

Better from Leipzig

Xavi finds Openda who cuts in and shoots with Konaté blocking the ball over the bar. The chance is then whistled for offside, but it was still good play from the home side.

65'

Another Gulácsi save

After a spell without chances Núñez gets a shot away. It's a moving effort but Gulácsi collects the ball well.

63'

First sub from Liverpool

Slot brings Luis Díaz on for Salah. The Egyptian isn't happy, but Leipzig have kept him well out of the game.

63'

Substitution

Luis Díaz

Mohamed Salah

Over everyone

The free-kick isn't good enough from Xavi and sails out of play.

© IMAGO/Sven Sonntag

58'

Chance for RB?

Haidara is taken down by Núñez in a good position outside the Liverpool box, can Leipzig make something happen here?

56'

Well over from Salah

The Champions League's record African scorer isn't having his best night down the right, sending another shot well over. He's being outshone by Gakpo on the left.

53'

Xavi the danger man

Xavi is proving to be resistance to some physical defending from Van Dijk and Konaté. Can he come up with a moment of magic?

50'

Last ditch from Liverpool

Gravenberch cuts out a Xavi pass to Šeško that would have almost certainly ended up in the back of the net.

Gakpo close again

The Dutchman should score after some great work down the right from Núñez but it's yet another sublime point-blank save from Gulácsi.

© IMAGO/Roger Petzsche

47'

Back underway

Leipzig get us back underway shooting towards their home end.

Kick-off!

Half-time: Leipzig 0-1 Liverpool

A half of two halves comes to an end after Leipzig began looking like the more dangerous side. Eventually, Liverpool took over, and it's thanks to Gulácsi and Orbán that the score is only 1-0.

© Maja Hitij

Half-time

43'

Should be two!

Szoboszlai and Gakpo link up for a brilliant chance but Orbán again disrupts things at the final moment and the Dutchman's shot shaves the post.

42'

Leipzig gather themselves

Leipzig regain some control and move into Liverpool's third before their possession ends with another long-range Haidara effort.

40'

Strong defending from Leipzig

Tsimikas sends a dangerous ball into the box on the run and Orbán does brilliantly to cut it out at the last second.

Penalty? No

Núñez shows great pace to get to a ball into the box and Orbán clips him. The referee and VAR call it off with Núñez seemingly not in control of the ball when he went down.

© Alexander Hassenstein

Another big Gulácsi save

Tsimikas sends the corner in and Van Dijk sends a shot on goal that Gulácsi tips over.

© IMAGO/David Rawcliffe

36'

Chance for Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool have fully found their groove now and Alexander-Arnold has their latest chance which is blocked out for a corner.

33'

Gulácsi back in action

Gakpo is winning the battle down the left against international teammate Geertruida, his latest cross is deflected and Gulácsi quickly gathers.

31'

What a save from Gulácsi!

Gakpo makes his way down the left and sends a cross onto the head of Núñez, he should score but Gulácsi brilliantly sends a hand up for a point-blank save.

Núñez with the opener

Liverpool put a quick passing move together and Leipzig can't stop them ticking around their box. Eventually, the ball comes into Salah who heads to the far post where Núñez taps in the opener,

© Maja Hitij

27'

Darwin Núñez

GOAL!

0:1

23'

Third booking

Lutsharel Geertruida enters the book for taking down countryman Gakpo. There have been some late tackles so far.

23'

Yellow card

Lutsharel Geertruida

19'

Salah's first sight of goal

Liverpool up the pace in attack and Salah has a quick shot in a good position, those normally end up in the back of the net for him.

What a goal that would have been!

Kelleher comes out to challenger Šeško on the left touchline but the keeper fails to head the ball out. Šeško gathers it and nearly curls in a worldie from out wide.

© IMAGO/Kieran McManus/Shutterstock

17'

Kelleher in action again

Leipzig force the Irishman to collect a dangerous cross and the home side are having the best chances so far.

14'

Best chance yet!

Haidara strikes a pullback brilliantly towards the near post but Kelleher gets down well. Šeško then nearly finds Xavi for a golden chance.

Mac Allister the next to be booked

It's 1-1 each on the yellow card count as the referee appears to penalise the Argentine for simulation

© RONNY HARTMANN

12'

Yellow card

Mac Allister

10'

First corner for Liverpool

Salah sends Núñez down the right and Willi Orbán is forced to turn his cross behind the goal.

9'

Lukeba booked

The first yellow card of the match goes to Castello Lukeba who flies into Szoboszlai on the half-way line.

8'

Yellow card

Castello Lukeba

Big chance for Šeško

Šeško connects with a ball into the box but it's straight at Kelleher. All alone on the penalty spot he'd have wanted to do better there.

© IMAGO/MICHAL FAJT,ZOSPORTU.SK

Liverpool's first attack

Trent Alexander-Arnold gifts Arthur Vermeeren the ball on the edge of the away box, but then recovers well and launches an attack. Cody Gakpo carries the ball and misses Mohamed Salah with a dangerous cross.

© IMAGO/Kieran McManus/Shutterstock

3'

First shot for Leipzig

Leipzig gather the ball and craft a quick attack, but the final shot from Xavi is well over the bar.

2'

No friendships for Konaté

Former Leipzig man Konaté goes flying into Openda on the halfway line and gives away the game's first free-kick.

1'

We're underway!

Liverpool get things started at the Red Bull Arena.

Kick-off!

Defensive masters

In Europe's big five leagues, only Juventus (1) have conceded fewer goals than Leipzig (2) and Liverpool (3).

© IMAGO/Roger Petzsche

Elite company for Šeško?

Staying in the line-up tonight Benjamin Šeško could join an elite list at the age of 22. If he makes it three from three to open the Champions League campaign, he'd join Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Ferran Torres and Alessandro Del Piero to have done so before turning 22.

Another familiar face

Liverpool name former Leipzig duo Konaté and Szoboszlai, but there's another recognisable name in there, Ryan Gravenberch. The Dutch midfielder played for Bayern Munich during the 2022/23 season and has been inspired this term under countryman Slot.

More on those teams

Marco Rose makes just one change from Leipzig's 2-0 win over Mainz, bringing in Benjamin Henrichs for Lukas Klostermann which sees the team switch to a back four. Liverpool make three switches from their 2-1 victory against Chelsea, Tsimikas rotates in for Robertson, and Mac Allister does the same for Jones. Núñez replaces the injured Jota.

© DFL/Getty Images/Oliver Hardt

Leipzig starting XI

Gulácsi - Geertruida, Orbán (c), Lukeba, Henrichs - Haidara, Vermeeren, Nusa - Šeško, Xavi - Openda

Leipzig subs

Vandevoordt, Bitshiabu, Elmas, Poulsen, Baumgartner, André Silva, Kampl, Gebel

Liverpool starting XI

Kelleher - Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk (c), Konaté, Tsimikas - Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister - Salah, Núñez, Gakpo

Liverpool subs

Jaroš, Davies, Gomez, Endo, Luis Díaz, Jones, Robertson, Quansah, Morton, Nyoni

Konaté too!

Like Szoboszlai, Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté also made his name at Leipzig. The France centre-back was in the Bundesliga for four seasons before joining the Reds in 2021.

© imago images / eu-images

Szoboszlai back in town

Dominik Szoboszlai scored 20 goals in 91 appearances for Leipzig and won the DFB Cup twice before moving to Liverpool. Ahead of facing his former side this evening, the Hungarian said: "I’m happy to be back and I cannot wait to get to the stadium to see my old friends and the coaching staff as well, and also the fans. I couldn’t say a proper goodbye to them all because my last transfer was a little bit quick!"

© IMAGO/motivio

Arne Slot on facing Leipzig

"They had the difficulty of playing two very difficult teams in the Champions League, that’s the difficult thing of this format – that after two games you can have a league table that doesn’t tell the whole story because you can face teams from group four or you can face the difficult ones in the beginning, and that’s what they had. [They are] a very good team."

© IMAGO/Roger Petzsche

Xavi on facing Liverpool

"Games like this are a dream, they're really special. The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world. I can't wait to play against Liverpool tomorrow."

© Oliver Hardt/Bundesliga

Marco Rose on facing Liverpool

"They are strong at pressing and work hard defensively. They are physical and a strong team without possession, something that they were good at under Jürgen Klopp and now Arne Slot is doing it in his own way. Their game hasn't changed much, they still play at a really high intensity. Their positional play is strong and dominant, plus they are hard to defend against and have lots of quality in attack. They are a top side and it's an exciting challenge for us."

© IMAGO/motivio

3:28

Watch: All of Xavi's Bundesliga goals and assists

It is 23 goal involvements and counting for the Dutch magician.

2:03

Watch: Mainz 0-2 Leipzig

Xavi Simons scored a brilliant solo goal to put his side on course for yet another win, with this victory coming against the side that Marco Rose represented during his playing days.

3:13

Watch: Are Leipzig title candidates?

Their impressive start to the season has put Marco Rose's side in the conversation of potential Bundesliga champions, and here's why.

European form

Despite their respective domestic success so far this season, the two sides have had contrasting fortunes in Europe. Leipzig have lost their two opening games against Atletico Madrid and Juventus while Liverpool have won both of their games against AC Milan and Bologna.

Two top sides

Leipzig and Liverpool have both enjoyed fantastic starts to the season, with Liverpool sitting one point ahead at the top of the Premier League table and Leipzig sitting joint-top with Bayern. Leipzig are yet to lose a Bundesliga game while Liverpool only have one loss to their name so far.

2:49

Šeško on fire

In-form striker Benjamin Šeško could well be the man to get the ball rolling for Leipzig in Europe. Though it's still October, the Slovenia hit-man is on track for a personal-best campaign, with six goals and three assists in nine appearances across all competitions, including both goals against Juventus. Liverpool, you have been warned.

Tough start

Despite flying high in the league, RB Leipzig are yet to get off the mark on the continent this campaign and sit in 29th place in the standings, following a 2-1 loss away to Atletico Madrid on Matchday 1 and a 3-2 home defeat to Italian giants Juventus last time out. Liverpool, meanwhile, sit in fifth after beating Milan 3-1 in Italy and Bologna 2-0 at Anfield.

© RONNY HARTMANN

A first time for everything

High-flying RB Leipzig will be out to tip the historical balance and grab a first win over six-time Champions League winners Liverpool when they clash on Wednesday. The clubs have met twice before - home and away in the 2020/21 round of 16 - with the Reds prevailing 2-0 on both occasions. Time for Marco Rose's men to take their undefeated domestic form (four wins, two draws) onto the continental stage...

© Trenka Attila via www.imago-images.de/imago images/PA Images

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