Liverpool 1 Ajax 0 – Curtis Jones goal sends Reds through

Just when it looked that the Reds would crack under pressure, Onana let them off the hook with a serious error in judgment.

The Ajax custodian misread the flight of a Neco Williams cross and left it thinking it to be going out for a goal kick. Jones, who was alive to the situation, leapt and side-footed the ball from behind Onana to give Liverpool the break in the 58th.

Onana tried redeeming himself when he tipped substitute Roberto Firmino's shot onto the post. But it was his counterpart at the other end who stole the limelight when he saved a Klaas-Jan Huntelaar effort from point blank range diving full-length.

The heartening thing for Klopp was that Liverpool's attacking impetus came from youngsters like Jones and Williams instead of regulars Mohamed Salah ans Sadio Mane both of whom seemed rather jaded.

But Liverpool will have young Kelleher to thank for his exceptional job between the posts. With the Reds topping the cluster, Ajax are now left to battle it out for a place in the Round of 16 with Atalanta who are a point above them after their unexpected 1-1 draw to minions Midtjylland.

Liverpool starting XI:

Kelleher (goal), Neco Williams, Matip, Fabinho, Robertson, Henderson, Jones, Wijnaldum, Salah, Jota, Mane.

Subs: Firmino

Ajax starting XI:

Onana (goal), Mazraoui, Schuurs, Blind, Tagliafico, Gravenberch, Álvarez, Klaassen, Neres, Tadic, Antony

Subs: Labyad, Traore, Huntelaar, Martinez

Man of the match: Curtis Jones

This article was first posted here