Curtis Jones scored his first Champions League goal after a horrific goalkeeping mistake as Liverpool beat Ajax to win Group D and secure a place in the last 16.
Andre Onana misjudged the flight of Neco Williams’ cross and 19-year-old midfielder Jones took advantage to score with the outside of his right foot.
Caoimhin Kelleher, deputising for first-choice keeper Alisson who was missing with a hamstring injury, also played his part in Liverpool’s win, a tremendous stop to deny substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar the pick of his saves.
Former Everton midfielder Davy Klaassen wasted a great chance for the visitors and David Neres hit the woodwork.
Jones also rattled a post before his goal ensured Liverpool, with one game to spare, joined Premier League rivals Manchester City and Chelsea in the knockout stage.
Kelleher impresses in Alisson’s absence
A surprise home defeat by Atalanta last week had threatened Liverpool’s dominance in Group D, with the Italians and Ajax closing in.
But Jurgen Klopp’s side overcame their latest worrying injury setback to progress after an open and entertaining game at Anfield.
It was far from straightforward for the Reds, Klaassen heading wide for Ajax when he should have scored, while Neres was denied by the woodwork after Kelleher had done well to push away an attempt by young Brazilian forward Antony.
The 22-year-old’s stop to deny Huntelaar, having earlier produced a one-handed save to keep out Noussair Mazraoui, was exceptional and at the final whistle Klopp went straight to the Republic of Ireland squad member to congratulate him on his performance.
With Atalanta held in Denmark by Midtjylland, Liverpool are four points clear with one game to go and uncatchable at the top.
Having already secured the group, Klopp will be able to rest players when the Reds face Midtjylland in Denmark in the final round of games on 9 December.
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Liverpool
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Squad number9Player nameRoberto Firmino
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Squad number46Player nameR Williams
Ajax
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Squad number24Player nameOnana
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Squad number12Player nameMazraoui
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Squad number3Player nameSchuurs
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Squad number17Player nameBlind
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Squad number31Player nameTagliafico
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Squad number4Player nameÁlvarez
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Squad number6Player nameKlaassen
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Squad number8Player nameGravenberch
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Squad number39Player nameAntony
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Squad number10Player nameTadic
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Squad number7Player nameDavid Neres
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Squad number9Player nameHuntelaar
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Squad number19Player nameLabyad
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Squad number21Player nameMartínez
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Squad number23Player nameTraoré
More to follow.
Line-ups
Liverpool
- 62Kelleher
- 76N Williams
- 32Matip
- 3Fabinho
- 26Robertson
- 17Jones
- 14HendersonBooked at 90mins
- 5WijnaldumBooked at 70mins
- 11SalahSubstituted forR Williamsat 90′minutes
- 20JotaSubstituted forFirminoat 68′minutes
- 10ManéBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 9Firmino
- 13Adrián
- 18Minamino
- 21Tsimikas
- 27Origi
- 46R Williams
- 56Jaros
- 64Cain
- 65Clarkson
Ajax
- 24Onana
- 12MazraouiSubstituted forHuntelaarat 86′minutes
- 3SchuursBooked at 42mins
- 17BlindBooked at 55minsSubstituted forMartínezat 86′minutes
- 31Tagliafico
- 4ÁlvarezSubstituted forLabyadat 69′minutes
- 6Klaassen
- 8Gravenberch
- 39dos Santos
- 10Tadic
- 7Neres CamposSubstituted forTraoréat 81′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Stekelenburg
- 2Timber
- 5Klaiber
- 9Huntelaar
- 11Promes
- 16Scherpen
- 18Ekkelenkamp
- 19Labyad
- 21Martínez
- 23Traoré
Live Text
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Match ends, Liverpool 1, Ajax 0.
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Second Half ends, Liverpool 1, Ajax 0.
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Sadio Mané (Liverpool) is shown the yellow card.
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Nicolás Tagliafico (Ajax) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Sadio Mané (Liverpool).
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Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Ryan Gravenberch (Ajax) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Jordan Henderson (Liverpool).
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Substitution, Liverpool. Rhys Williams replaces Mohamed Salah.
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Offside, Ajax. Zakaria Labyad tries a through ball, but Lassina Traoré is caught offside.
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Corner, Ajax. Conceded by Caoimhin Kelleher.
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Attempt saved. Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Ajax) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Antony with a cross.
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Substitution, Ajax. Lisandro Martínez replaces Daley Blind.
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Substitution, Ajax. Klaas Jan Huntelaar replaces Noussair Mazraoui.
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Attempt missed. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) left footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Roberto Firmino.
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Attempt missed. Sadio Mané (Liverpool) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Jordan Henderson with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by André Onana.
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Attempt saved. Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Mohamed Salah.
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Foul by Noussair Mazraoui (Ajax).
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Andrew Robertson (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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