Liverpool entertained Ajax at Anfield earlier tonight as they hoped to earn all three points at home in this UEFA Champions League game. The Reds made a bright start to the game and scored the opening goal in the 17th minute via Mohamed Salah’s goal. However, Mohammed Kudus equalised for the Dutch club just ten minutes later with a powerful strike from a tight angle. Both sides went into the half-time break with a 1-1 scoreline.
The Merseyside club ramped up the pressure in the second half and finally managed to net the winning goal in the 89th minute courtesy of Joel Matip’s header. The contest finished with the Reds earning a hard-fought 2-1 win in front of the Kop.
Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player fared during the match against Ajax.
GK: Alisson Becker – 6.5/10
The Brazilian keeper hardly had anything to do in the game but couldn’t do much about Kudus’ excellent finish in the first half.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7/10
He played some decent passes in the Ajax half and went close to scoring with his excellent long-range attempt.
CB: Joel Matip – 9/10
The Cameroon international was solid at the back and made a lot of decent runs with the ball from the back. He ended up scoring the winning goal with a great header.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk – 7.5/10
The Dutch defender distributed the ball really well tonight and kept the opposition attackers quiet for most of the game. He was threat inside the opponent’s penalty area as well.
LB: Kostas Tsimikas – 7.5/10
The Greek left-back worked his socks off at both ends of the field and was a quality presence on the ball. He even delivered some inviting crosses into the opposition penalty box.
CM: Harvey Elliott – 6.5/10
He gave away the ball cheaply at times and looked a bit light in midfield. Still, Elliott had a few lively moments in the final third.
CM: Fabinho – 6.5/10
The Brazilian midfield ace was strong in the air and made a couple of solid challenges at the centre of the park.
CM: Thiago Alcantara – 7.5/10
The Spaniard ran the show in the Ajax half with his excellent vision and ball distribution.
RW: Mohamed Salah – 8/10
The Egypt international was always willing to get on the ball and kept his composure well to open the goal-scoring with a clinical strike. It was a welcome return to form for him tonight.
ST: Diogo Jota – 7/10
Jota linked up play well with others around him but didn’t get too many sniffs at goal.
LW: Luis Diaz – 7/10
Diaz was bright on the ball and looked dangerous out on the left flank. However, there was no goal for him tonight.
Substitutes:
CAM: Roberto Firmino – 6.5/10
The Brazilian forward got himself into some promising areas but failed to register a goal.
ST: Darwin Nunez – 6/10
He wasted a glorious chance to score.
CM: James Milner – N/A
Milner hardly had any time to make an impact.
CM: Stefan Bajcetic – N/A
Bajcetic hardly had any time to influence the game.
