Match report: Reds held to draw by Midtjylland in Denmark

Mohamed Salah gave the Reds the perfect start at Arena Herning when he raced clear and prodded beyond goalkeeper Jesper Hansen inside the opening 60 seconds.

Midtjylland struck the crossbar in the early exchanges of the second period before they drew level from the penalty spot via Alexander Scholz after a VAR check on Caoimhin Kelleher’s challenge on Anders Dreyer.

The hosts threatened a winner with several good openings, but Liverpool’s place in Monday’s last-16 draw had been confirmed last week and they wrapped up group duties with a point.

Team news...

Liverpool made eight changes as Trent Alexander-Arnold returned and captained the club for the first time.

There was also a maiden Champions League appearance for Academy graduate Leighton Clarkson, while Naby Keita was named in the starting XI.

With an average age of 24 years and 26 days, it was the youngest side the Reds had ever fielded in the Champions League.

First half…

Just 55 seconds were on the clock when Liverpool struck the night's first blow as Salah dispossessed Erik Sviatchenko and raced through on goal, before toe-poking past Hansen while under pressure from Dion Cools.

In doing so, the Egyptian became the Reds’ all-time record goalscorer in the Champions League/European Cup with his 22nd strike in the tournament, surpassing Steven Gerrard.

It was also our quickest ever goal in European competition.

On 19 minutes, only a fine reflex save prevented the visitors from going further ahead when Hansen reacted smartly to turn away Diogo Jota’s touch towards his goal from Takumi Minamino’s centre.

Then, just after the half-hour mark, an incisive move saw Liverpool slice open their opponents as Keita fed Salah, who instantly switched play into the path of Divock Origi’s run. The Belgian fired first time, but the ball spun wide of the upright.

However, Midtjylland went agonisingly close to a leveller soon after, though Fabinho was on hand to hook Sory Kaba’s goal-bound header off the line.

Next, Awer Mabil drew a near-post block out of Kelleher with a powerfully-struck drive, while at the other end, Hansen thwarted a blast from Jota.

Then, in first-half stoppage time, Keita’s whack towards goal from just inside the area was found equal to by Midtjylland’s ‘keeper, ensuring Liverpool’s advantage remained at one goal at the interval.

Second half…

Billy Koumetio was introduced at the break for his senior debut, replacing Fabinho in defence and becoming the youngest ever player to represent the club in the tournament.

Midtjylland almost grabbed an immediate equaliser when Evander rattled the crossbar from close range before Kaba nudged wide from the rebound.

The Danish Superliga side had emerged from the break with renewed determination and Kaba was giving cause for concern again moments later; this time a block from Kostas Tsimikas foiled his spin-and-shot at the back post.

It was to be one of the defender’s final acts after he failed to shake off a knock to the knee, meaning Andy Robertson came off the bench to replace him. Jordan Henderson joined him, taking the place of Keita.

The duo entered the action in the midst of a VAR check after Dreyer had gone to ground under a challenge from Kelleher inside the box. Initially flagged offside, the referee viewed the touchline monitor and awarded a penalty to the home side, which was duly dispatched by Scholz.

By now, Midtjylland were in the ascendancy and Evander swiped inches wide of the far post.

As the contest entered its final quarter, Roberto Firmino took the place of Origi – and only a sturdy block from Koumetio denied Kaba at close range before another lengthy VAR check ruled out a strike from Scholz.

Gustav Isaksen then tested Kelleher and Sviatchenko had a powerful header at a corner beaten away by the visiting custodian.

Sadio Mane replaced Jota for the final moments and Henderson needed to deny Evander after Midtjylland countered from a corner.

Minamino then prodded in from a Mane downward header, but a VAR check chalked it off as the final contest of Liverpool’s Group D campaign ended in a draw.