Leaders Liverpool made it six wins from six in the Champions League with a tight 1-0 win at Spaniards Girona on Tuesday.
Mohamed Salah’s penalty on the hour made the difference after the hosts had dominated the first half. Girona stay 30th and currently out of last-16 contention in the mammoth new table after five defeats and one win.
Dinamo Zagreb drew 0-0 with Celtic in the other early kick-off as both sides stayed in the unseeded play-off spots.
Top dogs Liverpool had already wrapped up a last 16 play-off place and with just two matchdays remaining after this week, the Reds could even qualify early for the last 16 as a top-eight finisher if results go their way on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Reds were on the back foot in the first half at the modest Estadi Montilivi, Bryan Gil slipping at a key moment and veteran Dutch defender Daley Blind also going close as Liverpool keeper Alisson – returning from injury – was constantly busy.
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Darwin Nunez then had a couple of Liverpool chances before half-time.
Girona, in their first ever Champions League season, have become a force in Spain thanks to the backing of the City Football Group which also owns Manchester City and other sides globally.
But the Catalans paid the price for not scoring while on top when Donny van de Beek was adjudged to have fouled Luis Diaz in the box as the Colombian lost his boot.
A VAR review led to the spot-kick and Salah, looking closer to signing a new Liverpool deal having appeared to be in his last season, converted with aplomb.
In late matches, Bayern Munich take on Shakhtar Donetsk, Bayer Leverkusen host second-placed Inter, RB Leipzig welcome Aston Villa and Europa League champions Atalanta entertain Champions League holders Real Madrid.
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