Liverpool are at the top after maintaining their perfect record in Europe this season with a 1-0 win over Girona.

Like Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain also got a much-needed victory by beating Salzburg 3-0 to move into the final playoff spot in 24th place.

Bayer Leverkusen are second after a 1-0 win over Inter Milan, while Aston Villa beat Leipzig 3-2 and are third.

Brest beat PSV Eindhoven 1-0 and is fifth. Eighth-placed Bayern Munich defeated Shakhtar 5-1.

Salah’s landmark

Mohamed Salah’s 50th Champions League goal underlined Liverpool’s perfect record in this season’s competition.

The Egyptian striker scored a 63rd-minute penalty to secure victory in Spain, which kept Liverpool at the top of the 36-team league.

But even after the Merseyside club’s sixth straight win, head coach Arne Slot expressed criticism of his players in a game in which goalkeeper Alisson made several saves to keep Girona away.

“If you ask me after all six games, I’m really happy with all the results, I’m really happy with the five (other) games with the way we played. “I’m anything but happy with the performance tonight,” he said.

Salah’s goal was his 16th in 22 appearances this season.

Girona finished in 30th place with just one win from six games.

“I almost feel sorry for them because they deserve so much more in this Champions League season than the three points they have so far. But we have an incredible goalkeeper,” said Slot.

Even after Slot’s criticism, Liverpool continued their excellent start to the season, which also took them to the top of the Premier League.

Former Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek gave Salah the chance to give the visitors the lead with a clumsy tackle from behind on Luis Diaz in the penalty area. Salah stepped up to convert the penalty and Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga went the wrong way.

Liverpool’s two remaining games are at home against Lille and away at PSV Eindhoven in January.

US international Christian Pulisic is the only player to score in this year’s Champions League in Milan’s 3-1 defeat to Liverpool in September.

Six-time European Cup winners Liverpool look to be the team to beat in the Champions League this season after big wins against defending champions Real Madrid and German champions Bayer Leverkusen last month.

Dinamo Zagreb drew 0-0 with Celtic and both teams remain in the playoff plans.

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James Robson is there https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer