Liverpool 1-0 Ajax
A second-half goal from Curtis Jones gave Liverpool a win to confirm their place in the knockout phase of the Champions League.
Jurgen Klopp’s side only needed a point from tonight’s clash with Ajax but, after the visitors threatened for much of the game, a bizarre error from their keeper Andre Onana handed the hosts all three points. Liverpool’s injury list has been piling up and, with keeper Alisson out for two weeks with a hamstring injury, there was a start for 22-year-old Irishman Caoimhin Kelleher, and he earned his money tonight.
In the other Group D match Atalanta drew 1-1 with Midtjylland, a result which means the Serie A side has a winner takes all clash with Ajax next week. In other Champions League 2020 news, there was a shock defeat for Real Madrid away to Shakhtar Donetsk which leaves Los Blancos in third place in Group B, behind Shakhtar and in danger of missing out on the knockout stage.
Highlights of the game
In a very open start to the match Perr Schuurs headed over the bar for Ajax, and then there was a mighty close call at the other end. Mo Salah showed quick feet to keep hold of the ball in a tight area before rolling it back for Curtis Jones and he fired a sweet shot which rattled the post with Andre Onana stranded.
The Reds knew that Ajax carried a serious attacking threat and Brazilian winger Antony almost finished a great move, but after cutting inside onto his left foot he fired wide. Kelleher made a strong save to deny Davy Klaassen though the former Everton man looked marginally offside, and then Dusan Tadic almost found Klaassen with a lovely cross but Andy Roberson made a crucial intervention. Noussair Mazraoui drove forward and unleashed a shot from 25 yards which was destined for the top corner, and Kelleher threw himself to his left to tip the ball over.
Having dominated the first, Ajax upped the ante at the start of the second half and Klaassen should have scored when he met a Tadic cross, but he powered his header wide; and Liverpool were hanging on when Antony forced a save from Kelleher, and the young keeper could only palm the ball into the path of David Neres whose shot hit the post.
But then, with the Dutch side inching ever closer, Liverpool took the lead totally against the run of play. And it was keeper Onana who made a catastrophic error to let the Reds in. He thought a long ball was heading out for a goal kick and he left it, but Jones was lurking and he kept the ball in play before sliding it into the empty net.
The Ajax stopper made a brave save to deny Roberto Firmino in a one on one, but the damage was done.
Key statistics
This was a tough game against an in-form side, well navigated by Liverpool.
Ajax arrived at Anfield unbeaten in eight and on a winning run of six, and they dominated possession, but the shot count was close at five to four (on target) to the Reds. Onana’s catastrophic error, combined with Jones’ quick thinking, was the crucial moment.
What’s next?
The latest Champions League 2020 betting odds put Liverpool behind Manchester City and FC Bayern as third favourites to lift the title. They will finish their Group D schedule with a trip to Midtjylland next Wednesday. But before that, Jurgen Klopp’s side has a serious test in the league; and there’s a chance for Diogo Jota to meet his old mates when Wolves are their visitors. Nuno’s side sit in se
Meanwhile, Ajax are at home to Atalanta next week with both sides still in the hunt for a last 16 place. But before they meet the Italians, Erik ten Hag’s men are back to league action where they will hope to keep hold of their top spot in the Dutch Eredivisie against fifth-placed FC Twente.
But before all that, here at SBOTOP we’re back tomorrow night with a huge match at Old Trafford when Manchester United host PSG.
See you then!
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