A second-half strike from Curtis Jones ensured Liverpool FC’s qualification into the UEFA Champions League’s Round of 16, as stand-in goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher stood out in his showing between the sticks in the 1-0 win for the Merseysiders.
Fresh off a disappointing 1-1 draw over the past weekend in the Premier League, Klopp’s men put out a convincing display against the Dutch visitors on Tuesday night at Anfield, despite Ajax going close to finding the back of the net on a number of occasions.
MATCH PROCEEDINGS
Jones was in fiery form as the whistle blew to commence the game, with the Liverpool FC midfield starlet nearly getting his name on the scoresheet twice within a span of a few minutes.
However, Ajax shot-stopper Andre Onana was defiant in keeping Jones at bay as he parried away his initial effort on goal, however, the Red’s second strike dashed off against the crossbar.
The hosts looked all set to grab an opener but Onana and the Ajax backline seemingly eased the pressure upon themselves by playing it cool at the defensive end of the pitch.
Ajax gained an early bit of attacking momentum in the second half, with Brazillian international David Neres hitting the crossbar with his shot following Kelleher’s fantastic save of an equally superb effort by Mazraoui.
3 – At 19 years and 306 days old, Curtis Jones is the third youngest goalscorer for Liverpool in the Champions League after David N'Gog (19y 252d) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (19y 10d). Instinct. pic.twitter.com/Kzzjuy0TQ5
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 1, 2020
On the other end, the Reds got their breakthrough in the game with Jones, arguably Liverpool FC’s best performer of the game, finding the back of the net with a deftly executed finish into the bottom corner.
Onana was called into action again as he sought to deny Mohammad Salah from doubling the hosts’ lead with a second save soon afterwards to prevent Roberto Firmino from getting on the scoresheet.
Kelleher was a sight to behold in the Liverpool FC goal as the 22-year old, on his European debut, palmed away an effort from Huntelaar in acrobatic fashion in the dying moments of the game to keep the score at 1-0 in favour of Jurgen Klopp’s side.
