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At 19 years and 306 days, Curtis Jones is the third teenager to score for Liverpool in the Champions League after David N’Gog in 2008 (19 years and 252 days) and Trent Alexander-Arnold in 2017 (19 years and 10 days)
Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool’s win over Ajax felt like “one of the biggest nights in the Champions League” since he took office in 2015.
Liverpool advanced to the knockout phase as Group D champions with a match to spare after winning 1-0 at Anfield.
The Reds lost several key players to injury, Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson being the last to join the casualty list with a hamstring problem.
“Under the circumstances, there hasn’t been much to smile about,” Klopp said.
- Jones hits the winner as Liverpool beat Ajax to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League
A surprise loss at home to Atalanta last week had threatened Liverpool’s dominance in the group, with the Italians and Ajax closing in.
But a first Champions League goal from 19-year-old midfielder Curtis Jones and an excellent goalkeeper performance from Caoimhin Kelleher, who was making his debut in the competition, earned Liverpool three points.
The victory, coupled with Atalanta’s 1-1 draw with Midtjylland in Denmark, means the Reds are confident of taking the top spot of the group.
“With no supporters inside, it was the most important [win], the most difficult, the most exceptional, “added Klopp, who led Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2018-19.
‘What a game, amazing, I’m very proud’
Kelleher, 22, had played just three Carabao Cup qualifiers and one FA Cup match before being chosen ahead of the more experienced Adrian to replace starting goalkeeper Alisson.
The Republic of Ireland team member made an outstanding save to deny Ajax substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar a late draw.
Another young man, 19-year-old right-back Neco Williams, provided the assist for Jones to score.
“It was tough and the guys jumped into the game,” said Klopp, who doesn’t have nine older players due to injury.
“Curtis Jones, what a game, amazing. I’m so proud. He’s a really good kid, a good player and I’m happy to have him around.
Liverpool’s goal marked the first time in Champions League history that a teenager, Neco Williams (19 years, 232 days), assisted another, Curtis Jones (19 years 306 days), for a Premier League team.
“Sometimes, with injuries, there is always an opportunity and he has taken it.
“I really think Adrian has done a fantastic job for us, but we needed Caoimhin Kelleher’s natural ability to play football. He is also a good blocker.
“We made that decision, but you never know how they are going to do it. I’m very happy with how calm he was and how good he was.”
Williams, a right-back for Wales, has appeared in five Premier League and Champions League appearances for the Reds this season due to the injury of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Klopp said he had demanded more of Williams after speaking with the player.
“We believe he has more on the locker than he has shown so far,” added the German.
“The season started after a tough summer with blocking, a short preseason and then Trent Alexander-Arnold is out.
“Neco was not in the best shape, but he is on the big stage, tonight he showed flashes. He can be even better.”
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Source: bbc.com
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