LIVERPOOL (REUTERS, AFP) - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp praised Mohamed Salah for showing self-belief after he spurned several straightforward chances before scoring from a tight angle to help the defending champions reach the Champions League knockout stages on Tuesday (Dec 10).

Liverpool beat Salzburg 2-0 to advance as Group E winners, with Salah adding to midfielder Naby Keita's opener after rounding opposition goalkeeper Cican Stankovic.

"He played really well but didn't score in the situations we expect him usually to score, but staying on track and making such a decisive and very difficult finish, that probably says much more about him than all of the other goals he has scored," said Klopp.

"Staying concentrated, belief in the next moment, it was brilliant. A very, very difficult goal but a sensational finish."

Salah's goal was his 11th for Liverpool this season and took him to 20 Champions League goals for the club.

Liverpool next host basement-side Watford in the Premier League on Saturday before they travel to Qatar for the Club World Cup next week.

Competing as champions of the hosts, Qatar's Al-Sadd - coached by Barcelona great Xavi Hernandez - entertain minnows Hienghene Sport of New Caledonia in the tournament's opening game at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Wednesday (Dec 11).

The winner of that game will advance to a tie against Mexico's Monterrey, the Concacaf Champions League winners, on Saturday.

The winners from that match will then be able to look forward to a plum semi-final against Liverpool on Dec 18.