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Jota and Minamino asking questions of the first three
Pressing in vain for a draw left Ajax sometimes hanging by the fingernails against Liverpool’s trademark counterattacks.
The Dutch team would have known what to expect: forceful, direct running down the left, ingenious linking game between the lines down the middle along with deception and creativity cutting from the right flank.
Except that Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah were not the ones who did the damage.
The three forwards had been replaced in one go shortly before the hour when Jurgen Klopp, delighted to use the five substitutes rule again, brought in Diogo Jota, Takumi Minamino and Xherdan Shaqiri.
Any relief Ajax felt briefly from the usual drifting attack was soon banished, as the incoming trio delivered compelling evidence of strength in depth to the Liverpool front.
Minamino and, in particular, Jota were the most prominent, the latter with another impressive cameo after his £ 41 million arrival from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Both can be considered unfortunate for not having had more playing time in recent weeks, Minamino encouraged compared to a newly subdued Roberto Firmino, making his 50th appearance in Europe with the club.
With a streak of five big games in the next 15 days, including two more in the Champions League, the duo have shown that they are more than ready to go.
Jones learns as midfield turns back the clock
Curtis Jones has never lacked self-confidence.
From scoring a spectacular goal in the penalty shootout against Arsenal, taking home the winner in his derby debut and assuming the former jersey of fellow local midfielder Steven Gerrrard, Jones has been more than willing to take responsibility.
The 19-year-old, then, would have been rubbing his hands in anticipation of making a Champions League debut in the starting eleven in Amsterdam.
Making only the 10th start of his burgeoning Anfield career, Jones was clean and tidy enough to make major mistakes.
However, it was he who led the way at halftime when Jurgen Klopp reformed a failed midfield.
This was always going to be a potential circumstance for Fabinho to go down on defense, particularly with Jordan Henderson starting on the bench.
The captain’s presentation by Jones at halftime added some extra coverage for the baseline, freed Gini Wijnaldum from his defensive responsibilities and offered more legs to help the ever-willing James Milner.
Seeing the old midfield triumvirate reunited was probably not what Liverpool fans would have hoped for given the transfers that have taken place since they were last common over two years ago.
But a blast from the past helped the Reds overcome this tricky first Champions League hurdle.
Reds who fight show heart
If any aftermath of the terrible loss at Aston Villa earlier this month continues, there is one aspect of the loss that has been firmly addressed.
The manner in which Liverpool meekly lost seven goals led to suggestions that their famous “mind monsters” were no more.
Clearly though, they were just having a rare day off.
Only a controversial VAR decision at Goodison has prevented Klopp’s team from responding to their humility at Villa Park with two impressive away victories.
Both saw them stripped of key players during or before the match, after which Liverpool simply rolled up their sleeves and moved on.
It was the kind of attitude that saw them overcome so many close fights on their way to the title last season.
In fact, the Reds have won their last three Champions League group stage games away from home having won just one of their previous 10.
This strangest season will continue to bring many surprises. However, a weaker Liverpool mentality seems not to be one of them.
Choose your LFC Man of the Match right here
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