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Liverpool 2-1 Ajax: Match report, player ratings, fan reaction & more

Liverpool faced off with Ajax in a Champions League clash on Tuesday evening.


The Reds headed into the game in desperate need of a win after suffering an embarrassing 4-1 loss at the hands of Napoli last week.

That result put Liverpool bottom of their CL group, with another loss on Tuesday potentially detrimental to their hopes of making it into the knockout stages.

But when all was said and done at Anfield, Liverpool came away with a 2-1 win.

Liverpool started well and were causing Ajax issues with their press, with the Dutch side attempting to play out from the back with little success.

And it was the Reds who took the lead 17 minutes in as Mohamed Salah was slipped through on goal by Diogo Jota. Diaz then nearly added a second minutes later but his effort went wide.

Liverpool’s lead did not last long, though, as Kudous was given far too much time to get a shot off in the box, smashing his effort past Alisson.

The two sides went in level at half-time, with Liverpool then starting brightly in the second 45. Klopp then switched to a 4-2-3-1 after 66 minutes, bringing on Roberto Firmino and Darwin Nunez.

The changes led to a few chances for Liverpool, all of which came through Darwin Nunez. But it was Joel Matip who netted the winner. Salah saw a shot put out for a corner. Tsimikas then crossed the resulting corner towards Matip who rose highest to head home.


Liverpool player ratings

Alisson (6) - Excellent ball up to Luis Diaz in the build-up to Salah’s opener. He made a few decent saves as well.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (4) - Once again left Liverpool exposed at times when pushing too far up the field. His positioning for the Ajax equaliser in the first half was awful as well.

Joel Matip (7) - Made four tackles, two interceptions and his forward runs led to several Liverpool chances. He also scored the winner with a towering header.

Virgil van Dijk (5.5) - Could have closed down Kudus better for his goal. Should have done better with his headed chances.

Kostas Tsimikas (6) - Did not have a bad game but struggled to impact the match as much as Andy Robertson going forward. However, it was his cross that led to the winner.

Fabinho (5) - Was fairly weak defensively in the first half and struggled to impose himself in the second 45.

Thiago (6.5) - Sat slightly deeper to almost form a pivot with Fabinho and this worked well. The Spaniard helped control the flow of the game with his passing.

Harvey Elliott (5) - His tracking back was poor and this left Liverpool exposed down their right. Elliott was also not great at the other end.

Mohamed Salah (6.5) - Looked bright in the early stages, linking up well with Alexander-Arnold. Good finish for his goal.

Luis Diaz (6) - Good flick on to Jota for the opening goal of the night but did little else of note.

Diogo Jota (6.5) - Lovely ball to Salah for the opening goal. Continued to test Ajax before being subbed off.

Substitutes

Roberto Firmino (5) - Did a decent job of linking play and should have got an assist.

Darwin Nunez (5.5) - Got his first chance 83 minutes in but dragged his shot wide. Should have done better. He then nearly assisted Diaz moments later but the Ajax keeper got an important touch.

James Milner (N/A)

Stefan Bajcetic (N/A)

Ajax player ratings

Remko Pasveer (5) - His distribution was questionable when trying to play out from the back.

Devyne Rensch (5.5) - Rensch did a decent job of keeping Diaz at bay before being taken off.

Jurrien Timber (5) - Was fairly weak defensively and struggled to play out from the back.

Calvin Bassey (6) - Made five tackles, two interceptions, and won most of his ground duels. Was weak in the air, though, and was out-jumped by Joel Matip for the winner.

Daley Blind (4.5) - Was matched up against Salah and had a hard time dealing with the winger’s pace. Should have done better with a chance 75 minutes in.

Edson Alvarez (5) - Made a few good tackles but he had a hard time dealing with Jota.

Steven Berguis (5.5) - His runs from deep made him a nuisance for Liverpool’s defence.

Kenneth Taylor (6) - Passing was good and he kept Elliott from affecting the game too much.

Dusan Tadic (6) - Passing solid and he should have had an assist but Blind headed wide.

Steven Bergwjin (5.5) - Was not at his best. Was smart enough to let the ball run for Kudus when he scored.

Mohammed Kudus (6.5) - Showed great composure to make it 1-1.

Substitutes

Jorge Sanchez (5) - Was decent defensively.

Florian Grillitsch (N/A)

Brian Brobbey (N/A)


Fan reaction

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Josh Barker

Josh Barker

Middlesbrough fan from the North East of England. @JoshBarker979 on Twitter.


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