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Budapest (dpa) - Hair-raising defensive mistakes cost Julian Nagelsmann the victory in the first part of the coaching duel with Jürgen Klopp and presented RB Leipzig with an almost impossible task in the Champions League.

The Saxons lost the round of 16 first leg against Liverpool FC, which was moved to Budapest, with 0: 2 (0: 0).

Star attackers Mohamed Salah (53rd) and Sadio Mané (58th) made use of Leipzig mistakes that are not allowed to happen at this level.

The English champions now have the clear advantage for the second leg on March 10th.

However, it is still unclear whether the game can take place in the stadium on Anfield Road due to corona-related travel restrictions.

Those responsible for RB tried really hard to create a certain home game atmosphere in the Puskas Arena.

In accordance with UEFA guidelines, the stadium announcer had arrived, and the flags of the fan clubs were hung in the empty arena.

That apparently inspired the team, because in the fifth minute only the post prevented the lead by a header from Dani Olmo.

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The Spanish international was supposed to work on Liverpool's defense together with Christopher Nkunku, while Nagelsmann did without a real striker.

Despite the good initial phase, nervousness quickly spread at Leipzig, especially from the three-man chain around the initially weak Dayot Upamecano, all kinds of bad passes in the game structure were produced.

The ailing in the Premier League Liverpool got more and more control and embarrassed RB.

Salah (15th) failed because of Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi, Roberto Firmino put the margin on the side net.

Then the third member of the "Fab Three" intervened, but Mané's header (24th) went just over it.

Shortly afterwards, Gulacsi (31st) had to risk everything when running out and saved a counterattack just before Mané.

Leipzig did not take place offensively until the break.

"We have to start much more courageously in depth and keep calm," said sports director Markus Krösche at halftime.

Nkunku (47th) implemented this immediately and had the lead after a strong vertical pass from Olmo, but failed because of LFC keeper Alisson, who was recently criticized.

The problem: Leipzig did not fix the errors in the game structure - and this time Liverpool struck.

Captain Marcel Sabitzer sloppily played the ball back into the defense, Lukas Klostermann slipped away and Salah accepted this invitation to score his fourth goal in the current premier league season.

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Only five minutes later, the RB defense made the next adventurous mistake.

In a long pass, Nordi Mukiele kicked the ball, leaving Mané free to reach the goal.

Gulacsi once again had no chance.

Nagelsmann reacted, bringing Willi Orban for Mukiele and Yussuf Poulsen, a real striker.

This did not have an immediate effect, Liverpool managed the leadership largely sovereign.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210216-99-470537 / 2

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