Jurgen Klopp has spent most of the last two months complaining about the timing of fixtures as Liverpool fights to defend its Premier League title while simultaneously competing for another Champions League crown. With that in mind (and a slew of injuries), the Reds boss started a number of youngsters against Ajax on Tuesday, including two teenagers and a goalkeeper who had just four prior senior appearances, none in the Champions League.
Those two teenagers proved to be the difference.
Neco Williams, a 19-year-old fullback, assisted on a weird goal scored by fellow 19-year-old midfielder Curtis Jones as Liverpool edged Ajax 1-0 to clinch qualification to the Champions League knockout rounds on Tuesday at Anfield.
We're into the last 16, Reds pic.twitter.com/VrkUPm3owR
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 1, 2020
Liverpool never really reached full stride against Ajax but did enough to secure the home win. The Dutch visitors held the ball for the majority of the match (56 percent possession), but credit must be given to 22-year-old Caoimhin Kelleher, who filled in admirably for Alisson. Kelleher came through with a couple big saves to record a clean sheet in his first-ever Champions League appearance.
But the three points were earned by Williams and Jones, thanks to a bit of fortune.
Williams lobbed a cross into the box in the 58th minute, one that keeper Andre Onana appeared to grab. Instead, the ball flew over his head and dipped just in time for Jones to poke into the empty net with the outside of his right boot.
Liverpool vs Ajax Highlights (Curtis Jones Goal vs Ajax at 3:56)
It wasn’t the flowing move Klopp’s Liverpool has become known for, but it was enough to give the Reds a 1-0 win to secure top spot in Group D with one match to play.
Not a bad day for Liverpool teenagers. Klopp even brought on a third 19-year-old, Rhys Williams, in the 90th minute to help close out the victory.
Liverpool completed a sweep over Ajax with two 1-0 wins, the other coming off an own goal in Amsterdam.