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Liverpool sealed their qualification to the Champions League round of 16 with a 1-0 home win against Ajax on Tuesday night.
In a very close competition, both sides had a chance to snatch victory. However, after players like Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane failed in front of goal, it was up to Curtis Jones of all players to break the deadlock. The 19-year-old had previously hit the post in the first half, but at the appointed time, he converted a Neco Williams cross to a defenseless Andre Onana.
While the goal momentarily calmed Liverpool’s nerves, a late attack from Ajax forced Caoimhin Kelleher to make a series of good saves, making his first Champions League start, but Liverpool held on for three important points.
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Positive
Defensively, Liverpool were superb. Faced with a prolific attack from Ajax, the home side remains poised and organized, even as shots rained down in the final stages.
Likewise, the contributions of fresh-faced academy graduates like Kelleher, Jones and Williams will please Jurgen Klopp as well. Kelleher kept a clean sheet as the last two combined for the team’s only goal.
Negative
As much as we associate the Premier League champions with goals, they have struggled to put the ball in the back of the net in their last three outings. This night the wastefulness was shown once again as the Ajax goalkeeper made a mistake so that Liverpool could take the lead. The Reds’ form in front of goal will no doubt return at some point, but of late, Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino have all wasted in front of goal.
Manager rating out of 10
8 – He showed faith in young Jones, which paid off. The midfielder’s first goal helped his team solidify its status at the top of the group, at a point in the game where it could have gone either way. The German coach’s center-pair also worked well, while the decision to go with Kelleher between the sticks was similarly justified. Solid selection by the boss for a solid night of work.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players submitted after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Caoimhin Kelleher, 8 – The young Irishman looked remarkably serene in his first Champions League start. He made a handful of excellent saves and was not afraid to claim fumbles in the penalty area.
DF Neco Williams, 7 – He grabbed an assist after his floating cross caught Onana, and Jones made him the back post. Defensively, he also improved a lot compared to some of his recent starts.
DF Joel Matip, 8 – One of Liverpool’s most impressive artists. In defensive capacity, very little was ahead of him, while his strides from behind with the ball proved, as always, to be very effective in launching attacks.
DF Fabinho, 7 – He appears to be a natural defender, despite being his secondary position. The Brazilian read the game wonderfully tonight.
DF Andrew Robertson, 6 years He seemed to take a slight hit early in the game, one that clouded his overall play for the big spells. An energetic, if slightly disappointing, display from the Scotsman.
MF Jordan Henderson, 7 – They patrolled midfield well from position number 6, rarely giving the ball away and remaining tactically disciplined at all times.
MF Georginio Wijnaldum, 7 – He was more creative tonight than perhaps we are used to seeing. The Dutchman made several excellent passes to the forwards, opportunities that were ultimately wasted.
MF Curtis Jones, 8 – Winner of Liverpool’s match at night. His cute side goal was a fantastic piece of improv, and it was well deserved after his previous effort from range fell off the post.
FW Diogo Jota, 6 – Lively but wasteful at key moments, as his first touch too often let him down. The Portuguese forward has set a very high standard in recent weeks but was unable to maintain that form tonight.
FW Mohamed Salah, 7 – He got into good areas over and over again, only for his teammates to ignore his fine movement. He ripped Firmino off to perfection in the closing bars, only for the shot to be saved.
FW Sadio Mane, 6 – Frustrating from the start. His runs and direct moves were a constant threat, but all that good work was undone with poor decision making in the final third. The Senegalese striker could use a goal.
Substitutes
FROM Roberto Firmino, 6 – He looked strong, but missed a golden opportunity to double his sides advantage.
DF Rhys Williams N / R – He replaced Salah with minutes remaining.
