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Teenager Curtis Jones scored the winning goal in the 58th minute as an injury-stricken Liverpool qualified for the Champions League knockout stage with a 1-0 win over Ajax Amsterdam at Anfield on Tuesday. The victory secured first place in Group D for Juergen Klopp’s side with 12 points after rival Atalanta drew 1-1 at home against Midtjylland.
Ajax, with seven points, are one point behind second-placed Atalanta and need a victory over the Italians in their last group match to reach the round of 16.
Besides Jones, Klopp had another youngster to thank for his victory, as Ireland’s Under-21 goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher made a vital save in the final stages of his Champions League debut.
Kelleher had been drafted after first choice Alisson Becker became the latest addition to Liverpool’s long list of injuries with a scan that revealed a hamstring strain.
With Neco Williams on right-back and Jones in midfield, Liverpool had a youthful feel, with few seasoned alternatives.
Jones fired a shot at the post in the sixth minute after Mohamed Salah mounted it, but Ajax made their way into the game with former Everton midfielder Davy Klaassen showing his influence.
Kelleher was called into action in the 32nd minute when he dumped a blast from Noussair Mazraoui.
After the break Klaassen missed a decent chance, heading wide off the near post, and the Dutch team should have gotten ahead when David Neres hit the post after Kelleher pushed in a shot from Mazraoui.
Then came the defining moment: Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana misjudged a Williams cross and allowed the ball to float over his head, where the 19-year-old Jones did well to guide him home at the back post.
Kelleher completed a memorable debut when he made a vital save in the final minutes to avoid a header from veteran Ajax substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
“It was incredible for me, debuting in a Champions League match was huge, we got the win and qualified. A great night, ”said the Irish goalkeeper.
“That’s what I’m there for, I work every day in practice to make sure I’m ready and that I can make some good saves.”
