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Jurgen Klopp claimed Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Ajax was one of the club’s best Champions League nights in his time in charge.
Liverpool claimed the victory they needed to advance their Champions League group thanks to a clever finish from Curtis Jones.
The result means Liverpool win their group with a game to spare, giving Klopp a chance to rest some players in the final match against Midtjylland next week.
Before that, however, he will be reflecting on what he saw against Ajax, and he was eager to highlight how good it was.
“Honestly since I’ve been in Liverpool it feels like one of the biggest nights in the Champions League,” he said. BT sport. “Without fans, it was the most important, the most difficult, the most exceptional thing.
“With the circumstances, there has not been much to smile about, it has been difficult and the boys jump into the game. Robbo [Andy Robertson] has a good shot on the ankle and pushes himself, Hendo [Jordan Henderson] with back pain, Gini [Wijnaldum] – I have no words for him. “
Another midfielder who impressed was Jones, who scored his first goal in the Champions League to separate the two teams.
The academy graduate has made the most of the opportunities presented to him and once again demonstrated what he is capable of by scoring a goal to cap off a performance that made Klopp proud.
“Curtis Jones, what a game,” said the Liverpool manager. “It is incredible, I am very proud.
Curtis is a really good boy, a good player and I am happy to have him around. Sometimes with injuries there is always an opportunity and he has taken advantage of it ”.
Klopp praises Kelleher and Williams
While Jones made a decisive impact on one extreme, fellow academy graduate Caoimhin Kelleher did so on the other.
The Irish goalkeeper was making his first Champions League appearance as he had to replace Alisson Becker, and made some good saves to score a clean sheet.
Klopp explained why he chose Kelleher over the older Adrian, and praised the young man for his calmness on the big occasion.
“I really think Adrian has done a fantastic job for us, he kept a lot of clean sheets, he played everywhere,” Klopp said. “But now we needed Caoimhin Kelleher’s natural ability to play soccer.
“He’s also a good plugger. We made that decision, but you never know how they will manage. I’m so happy how calm he was and how good he was. “
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A third player from the academy to produce a good display was Neco Williams, which has received some criticism recently but he redeemed himself by getting the assist for Jones’ goal.
Klopp revealed that he has spoken to the player about his potential, insisting that he can improve even more.
“We had a long talk with Neco Williams this week,” he said. “We think he has more on the box than he has shown so far.
“The season started after a difficult 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. It can be even better. “
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