Liverpool are through to the knock-out stage of the Champions League after a 3-0 victory against Ajax on Wednesday night. The match at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam was a bit in doubt early but the Reds grew into the match and empathically eliminated Ajax from the Champions League.
Mohamed Salah accounted for the Reds' first goal in the 42nd minute. It is Salah's 166th goal for Liverpool. He is now only 6 goals behind Kenny Daglish for 7th all-time. Darwin Núñez and Harvey Elliott added to the tally in the second half.
Tonight's game was Liverpool's 150th all-time match in the Champions League. They marked the occasion with one of their best games away from Anfield this year. While it wasn't a perfect game, Liverpool did show a lot of quality especially at the end of the first half and into the second.
First Half
Once again, Liverpool showed up a bit late for the start of the match. Ajax were the much better team in the early parts of the first half. Including a dangerous shot off the post in the 3rd minute. Liverpool looked disjointed and uncertain for much of the first 30 minutes.
Liverpool were also very lucky in the 36th minute when Trent Alexander-Arnold blocked a sure goal from about 5 feet in front of the goal line. The Reds' fortunes would change just a few minutes from the halftime whistle.
Mohamed Salah would score in the 42nd minute, seemingly out of nowhere. Jordan Henderson helped set up the goal with a clever pass using the outside of his boot. The Egyptian King then chipped the ball up over the Ajax keeper.
The goal was completely against the run of play for the first 40 minutes of the half and it seemed to ignite the Liverpool offence. Darwin Núñez would rattle a strike off the post about one minute later. Despite the slow start, Liverpool finished the half very strong.
Second Half
Núñez would make up for his shocking miss at the end of the first half. He headed home Liverpool's second goal in the 49th minute from an Alexander-Arnold corner. It was a hard-fought goal from the Uruguayan striker, who used his size to push through the Ajax defence.
Harvey Elliott would continue his good Champions League form by roofing home a 3rd Liverpool goal just minutes later. His goal in the 52nd minute was set up by a lovely pass from Salah, that allowed Elliott to get on the ball in the penalty box without breaking stride.
All the news from the 2nd half wasn't good, Jordan Henderson was seemingly injured in the 70th minute. The captain clashed knees with an Ajax player and went to the ground. He was immediately replaced by James Milner. We will keep an eye on that situation as it develops.
LFC Globe Verdict
The Reds are clearly enjoying playing in the Champions League. They are through to the knock-out rounds by getting just their second win away from home this season. The other one was the 7-1 win at Rangers.
Liverpool have looked great at times during their Champions League games this season. They need to start getting more of these kinds of efforts in the Premier League. For now, we will take another great win in the best club competition in the world.
This is now 4 wins out of the last 5 matches for the Reds, with the hiccup against Nottingham Forest being the only blemish. It's starting to feel like this Liverpool team are rounding into form.
Man of the Match and What's Next
This was a great win for the Reds. They really needed this one after the game this past weekend, and the Egyptian King led the way. Mohamed Salah surely deserves the Man of the Match tonight. His goal changed the whole vibe in the stadium and his assist on Elliott's goal was sublime.
Next up for Liverpool is a match against Leeds United on Saturday night in the EPL. Kick-off is at 19:45 BST from Anfield. Next week, the Reds finish the Champions League group stage against Napoli at home on November 1st. That match will determine who will win Group A of the Champions League but both teams are already moving on.
Goals
Ajax
None
Liverpool
- Salah 42',
- Núñez 49'
- Elliott 52'
Substitutes
Ajax
- Kudus for Klaasen 59'
- Wijndal for Blind 59'
- Taylor for Brobbey 63'
- Conceicao for Berghuis 86'
- Grillitsch for Alvarez 86'
Liverpool
- Jones for Núñez 63'
- Carvalho for Elliott 71'
- Milner for Henderson 71'
- Bajcetic for Fabinho 71'
- Tsimikas for Robertson 87'
Cards
Ajax
- None
Liverpool
- None
