Liverpool beat Napoli, advance to Champions League knockout stage

Mohamed Salah's first-half strike gave Liverpool a 1-0 win over Napoli in Champions League Group C action on Tuesday. 

The win sends Liverpool through to the knockout stage of the competition, while Napoli -- who started the day as group leaders -- go to third place and down to the Europa League. Paris Saint-Germain won the group following their 4-1 victory over last-place Red Star Belgrade. 

Despite the low-scoring affair, the game's open play at Anfield reflected the must-win mentality from both sides. The usually sure-footed Salah missed a chance off Andrew Robertson's perfectly-timed cross to give Liverpool an early lead in the seventh minute.

Less than a minute later, the Italians had a good look for the night's first goal when Dries Martens cut back to set up Marek Hermisk for a booming shot that sailed over the Liverpool goal. 

The hosts were lucky not to go a man down on the evening when Virgil van Dijk received a yellow card in the 13th minute after catching Mertens in the ankle with a hard tackle. 

Sadio Mane saw his attempt disallowed on an offside call in the 23rd minute, but Salah connected in the 34th minute after weaving past Kalidou Koulibaly and scooting the ball through goalkeeper David Ospina for a favourable far-post bounce. 

Both sides turned up the attack mode following the break as Ospina and Reds keeper Alisson Becker became more involved for the second half. Liverpool knocked on the door twice in the 77th minute off runs by Mane and Salah, only for Ospina to keep the Reds at bay. 

Napoli seemed poised to level in stoppage time, but Alisson's clutch save of Arkadiusz Milik's close-range shot ensured the victory.