Joel Matip’s late header against Ajax at Anfield gave Liverpool their first Champions League win of the season.
Boss Jurgen Klopp called for a response to the “horror show” of Napoli’s 4-1 defeat in their group opener and it was certainly a vast improvement.
Liverpool created plenty of chances and Mohamed Salah swept home Diego Jota’s pass.
Mohamed Quddus’ shot went under the bar to level but Matip converted in the 89th minute.
Daley Blind missed a great chance to put Ajax ahead late on before Matip – whose previous Champions League goal was nine years ago – headed home the winner, which goal-line technology confirmed.
Liverpool’s persistence pays off.
Liverpool needed to respond to the Napoli defeat and while they were nowhere near their best it was all about getting a victory that would make Champions League Group A look more positive for Klopp’s side.
For a long time it looked as if Ajax’s composed style could be attributed to Liverpool’s lack of innovation, with them taking a point from two games as they prepare to play Rangers home and away. are
Instead, Matip’s winner secured a vital three points for last season’s beaten finalists and Klopp will hope it is the start of his recovery from defeat in Italy, the worst of his reign at Anfield. Named performance.
Before the game, there was a short silence in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and while there were a handful of dissenting voices, they were silenced by the majority of the Anfield crowd, who respectfully observed the tribute. What did
Tributes were paid to Queen Elizabeth II.
Once the action started, match-winner Matip and Thiago Alcantara were key to Liverpool’s improvement at Napoli last week, the defender not only strong at the back but bringing the ball out of defense in his characteristic adventurous style.
A decisive late contribution from the former Schalke defender capped a brilliant display and made Klopp’s defense far more solid than in Italy last week.
Thiago’s ability to dictate the tempo has been sorely missed when he has been injured and his performance was an indication of just how important he will be as Liverpool look to recover from their indifferent start to the season.
Quds shows her class.
Ajax have been outdone by very few clubs in world football and look to be the latest gem in Ghana’s forward line.
The 22-year-old forward was strongly linked with a move to Everton at the end of the transfer window but Ajax blocked the deal as they were set to lose Anthony to Manchester United.
Ajax believe Kadus will play a key role in their season – and will likely increase his value significantly.
They have been proven right so far. He was superb in Ajax’s 4-0 thrashing of Rangers in their opening group game and his sublime finish at Anfield was a sign of the quality the powerful, skilful forward possesses.
He tapped in an emphatic equalizer under the bar after being played in by Steven Berghuis and Steven Bergwijn.
Ajax will naturally be disappointed with the final result as they were minutes away from a valuable point, but they will rightly feel that they have done enough to believe they are in a tight group. They can evolve from the shape they are taking.
