LIVERPOOL are through to the last-16 of the Champions League after Curtis Jones gave them victory over Ajax.
- Final score: Liverpool 1-0 Ajax
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THANKS FOR JOINING US
That’s all for tonight, as Liverpool topped Group D and secured a place in the last sixteen of the Champions League.
The youngsters were the standout performers, with Caoimhin Kelleher keeping a clean sheet in goal, and Neco Williams assisting Curtis Jones for the winner.
Next up for the Reds is a home clash against Wolves on Sunday, before travelling to Denmark to face Midtjylland.
Ajax meanwhile host Twente in the league this weekend, before a winner takes all clash against Atalanta next Wednesday.
That’s all for now though.
Thanks for joining us, it’s been a pleasure.
MATCH REPORT
Plenty to talk about from tonight’s game, as an Andre Onana error allowed Curtis Jones to pounce and fire Liverpool into the last sixteen of the Champions League.
CLICK HERE TO READ OUR MATCH REPORT FROM TODAY’S GAME.
ACTION AREAS
Here’s a look at the full time action areas.
It was Ajax who had more possession, but Liverpool came away with the all important three points.
The Reds had fifteen shots in the game, with five on target, while Ajax had eleven shots, four of them hitting the target.
KLOPP’S THOUGHTS
A very pleased Jurgen Klopp has this to say at full time:
“Honestly since I’ve been in Liverpool one of the biggest [performances], for five years, one of the biggest Champions League nights.
“We had, for sure without supporters in, it was the most important, and the most difficult, and the most exceptional game.”
“So all of the circumstances, all of the things that’s going around, not a lot of things that have you smiling every day just because of injuries, it’s tricky and then the boys throw themselves in that game, and how the kids played, and how Robbo with a proper, proper knock on the ankle pushing himself through.
“Hendo, with a proper knock on the back, stiff back, pushed himself through.
“Gini I have no words for him to be honest.
“Curtis Jones, what a game for a nineteen year old boy.
“With all that stuff it’s just amazing, I’m really really proud tonight.”
TOP OF THE GROUP
Here’s the Group D standings.
Liverpool will qualify top of the group for the last sixteen, regardless of their result against Midtjylland on matchday six.
CLEAN SHEET CAOIMHIN
It’s a historic night for Caoimhin Kelleher.
KELLEHER SPEAKS
Champions League debutant Caoimhin Kelleher has this to say on keeping a clean sheet:
“Yeah obviously it was an amazing moment for me, to make my debut, especially in a Champions League game it was massive for me, and obviously the most important thing was to get the win and qualify which we did so yeah, great night.”
DREAM DEBUT
22-year-old Caoimhin Kelleher will be over the moon with a clean sheet on his Champions League to help Liverpool seal top spot in Group D.
Credit: Getty Images
HENDO’S THOUGHTS
Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson has this to say at full time:
“Very tough game, as we knew it would be.
“I thought the boys were outstanding, gave it everything for the full ninety minutes and deservedly got the win.
“I think we should have scored a few more, the counter attacks and chances that we had.
“So, unlucky not to maybe win by two or three but overall we’re just delighted with the three points and also with the clean sheet.”
WINNING GOAL
Here’s a look at the only goal of the game, made by academy graduates Neco Williams and Curtis Jones.
Ajax keeper Andre Onana won’t be wanting to watch that one again in a hurry.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 AJAX
It wasn’t a vintage Liverpool performance, but the Reds have got the job done and will qualify from Group D as group winners.
FULL TIME: LIVERPOOL 1-0 AJAX
LIVERPOOL QUALIFY FOR THE LAST SIXTEEN OF THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!
LIVERPOOL 1-0 AJAX
94. Liverpool throw in.
The Reds have a throw in, well into the Ajax half, and that might be enough to seal all three points for Liverpool.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 AJAX
92. Liverpool yellow card.
Mane is into the book now for a flailing arm to the face of Taglafico.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 AJAX
91. Liverpool yellow card.
Henderson is into the book for a professional foul on Gravenberch, stopping the youngster from breaking forward.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 AJAX
90. Four minutes of added time have been signalled.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 AJAX
90. Liverpool substitution.
Mo Salah is off, with Rhys Williams on to replace him.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 AJAX
88. WHAT A SAVE!
Kelleher pulls off a magnificent point blank save to deny a header from Huntelaar.
That was hit with real power, and Kelleher has saved his side there.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 AJAX
86. Daley Blind is off for Lisandro Martinez, and Klaas Jan Huntelaar is on for Noussair Mazraoui.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 AJAX
85. CHANCE!
Salah is played in by Firmino, and drives into the box.Instead of trying to bend the ball nto the far corner he stabs at it with the outside of his left foot, and the ball skews off target.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 AJAX
83. GREAT SAVE!
Onana redeems himself for his earlier error, after a magnificent low save from Firmino a Firmino effort after some excellent one touch build up play by Liverpool.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 AJAX
82. Kelleher is out to comfortably catch a cross in from Antony intended for Tadic.
He’s played well tonight, and is less than ten minutes away from a clean sheet.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 AJAX
80. David Neres is down for the visitors.
He’s back on his feet and walking off gingerly, but is coming off for Lassina Traore.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 AJAX
79. Henderson is played in down the right by Salah.
The Liverpool captain looks up and crosses in towards Sadio Mane, but the ball is agonisingly out of reach for the Senegalese forward.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 AJAX
78. David Neres is lucky to win a free kick from a Neco Williams challenge.
It looks like the Liverpool right back won the ball there.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
