Liverpool secure win with 89th minute goal in Champions League

Photo: Stephen Gormley (Red Eye Photo Agency)

Liverpool secured a much needed 2-1 home win over Ajax in the UEFA Champions League following the disappointment of the surprise 4-1 heavy defeat away to Napoli in their opening group match.

The game started at a frantic pace with Jota and Diaz looking sharp. The return of Thiago to the Liverpool midfield also brought a little bit of class that they have been missing so far this season.

The Reds went one up early on thanks to a majestic through ball from Jota to Mo Salah who lashed his strike into the back of the Italian net, for only his third goal of the season so far.

There were many chances for Liverpool in the first half but like many times this season so far they are not punishing these teams when they have the chances. Diaz was guilty of this when the ball fell to him in the box but he snatched at it and put it wide of the mark.

There was a wake-up call for Liverpool in the 27^th minute when Alexander-Arnold got caught ball watching and Ajax broke from nowhere and in the blink of an eye it was 1-1 with Kudus lashing the ball into the top corner on the turn.

A few minutes later Liverpool were at their attacking best with Trent making Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer make a double save with two powerful shots one after the other.

The second half continued just like the first half with Firmino and Nunez coming on just after the 60 minute-mark to help create further chance for the home side. Finally, after 24 attempts on goal, Liverpool got the winner in the 89th minute following a header from Joel Matip from a corner.

There was a moment of uncertainty until the referee confirmed the ball had indeed crossed the goal line and the joy and relief were clear to see on the players’ faces as they secured the win over the Dutch champions.

Jurgen Klopp could not hide his joy at the end.

He said: “I think if we put the two games together you would not recognise it as the same squad. Braver, more ready, everything was better. I think the story of the game is typical. We played a lot of good stuff against a strong side and caused them a lot of problems. Sometimes you have to wait a bit longer. It was a set-piece, but I don’t think that was a surprise. The face of Joel (Matip) showed exactly how we all felt.”

After losing the Final in Paris back in June, Klopp advised the Liverpool fans:

“Book your flights to Istanbul we will see you there.”

This seemed an overly optimistic prospect after the heavy defeat to Napoli but the last minute winner against an impressive young Ajax side keeps the dream alive.

Up next for Liverpool in the Champions League is the double Battle of Britain with home and away ties against Rangers in October.