Liverpool survive scare in frenetic 7-goal affair against Salzburg

The Champions League holders came dangerously close to throwing away three crucial points on Wednesday.

Liverpool, who lost their opening match of this season's tournament to Napoli, raced out to a commanding 3-0 lead over Red Bull Salzburg at Anfield, but were left stunned as the Austrian side roared back.

Teenage sensation Erling Braut Haaland got Jesse Marsch's team back on level terms in the 60th minute, only for Mohamed Salah to grab his second tally of the contest nine minutes later, thus ensuring that Jurgen Klopp and Co. emerged with a wild 4-3 victory.

The Reds appeared to be in complete control in the opening stanza.

Sadio Mane, Andrew Robertson, and Salah had the rampant Premier League leaders up by three in the 36th minute and threatening to run riot. But Salzburg, who smashed six goals in their opening Group E contest against Genk, made good on their reputation as a high-octane attacking side.

Hwang Hee-chan turned Virgil van Dijk inside-out to ignite the fightback shortly before halftime, while second-half tallies from Takumi Minamino and Haaland leveled proceedings. The latter has now scored four goals in this season's Champions League after announcing himself to the world with a hat-trick on Matchday 1.

The home crowd was tense, Liverpool looked jittery, and Klopp was perplexed on the sidelines.

Thankfully for the Reds, Salah came to the rescue once again.

The Egyptian netted his 12th goal in his last 13 Champions League appearances at Anfield, getting onto the end of a clever header from Roberto Firmino and firing his side back on top 21 minutes from the final whistle.

Liverpool wouldn't squander the advantage this time around and now sit second in the group on three points, one behind Napoli, who could only muster a draw with Genk earlier in the day.