Ajax vs. Liverpool result, highlights & analysis as Reds secure Champions League progress

David Lynch

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Ajax vs. Liverpool result, highlights & analysis as Reds secure Champions League progress image

Liverpool cruised into the knockout stages of the Champions League as they thrashed Ajax 3-0 in Amsterdam.

The Reds took a perhaps undeserved lead into the break after a dinked Mohamed Salah finish rounded off their best move of the half.

However, they went up a gear in the second period, carving out a comfortable lead through goals from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott. 

And that ensured they sealed a place in the latter stages of the Champions League courtesy of a second-placed finish behind Napoli, leaving Ajax battling Rangers for a Europa League place.

MORE: Champions League permutations and scenarios for qualification: How teams can reach knockout stage in final 2022 UEFA group matches

Ajax vs. Liverpool result

  1H 2H Final
Ajax 0 0 0
Liverpool  1 2 3

Goals:
LIV: Salah (42nd min)
LIV: Nunez (49th min)
LIV: Elliott (52nd min)

Klopp unearths a diamond

After seven years of steadfast commitment to a 4-3-3 at Liverpool, it has been remarkable to see Jurgen Klopp open himself up to experimentation this season.

After a poor start to the campaign, the Reds have flitted between a 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2 in recent weeks in a bid to rediscover their best form.

At Ajax, however, Klopp once again tried on a new shape featuring a diamond midfield - a move that looked like a misstep in a ropey opening period but, by the end of the game, could better be described as a managerial masterstroke.

It is a shape that clearly helps get Nunez and Salah in goalscoring positions, as well as making up for the loss of two key left-sided wingers in Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz. 

Could this be the formation that keeps Liverpool on track until their injuries ease?

Liverpool secure fixture pile-up boost

With injuries mounting and a busy schedule ahead prior to the World Cup, Klopp could do with a few free hits.

And that is exactly what his side have turned their group-ending Anfield meeting with Napoli into by securing victory over Ajax.

With their place in the knockout stages already assured, there is no need for Liverpool to take any risks when it comes to the fitness of their star men next Tuesday.

In fact, the manager might well be considering wholesale changes as he prioritises keeping his squad fit and fresh for the Premier League tests to come.

The kids are alright

If this is to be something of a transitional season for Liverpool, then they can take heart from the important experience it will give to several youngsters.

Elliott was the obvious standout here, adding to his burgeoning reputation with a mature performance and a remarkable right-footed finish.

However, Curtis Jones, Fabio Carvalho and Stefan Bajcetic all enjoyed impressive cameos as the visitors comfortably saw out an important win on the biggest stage in European football. 

Klopp is known as a manager who will give youth a chance and is staying true to that even in the midst of a mixed start to the campaign.

Ajax vs. Liverpool live updates, highlights from Champions League

FULLTIME: Liverpool secure their place in the last-16 of the Champions League as Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott blow Ajax away.

Things might not be going to plan for the Reds in the Premier League at the moment, but they are still a threat in Europe.

89th min: Carvalho almost sprints onto a Milner ball in behind but is beaten to the ball by an alert Pasveer.

Good goalkeeping.

81st min: Liverpool knocking it around comfortably now as Ajax fans head for the exits.

This hasn't been a vintage performance from the visitors and yet they have comfortably dispatched their Dutch opponents. 

70th min: More changes for Liverpool, with Carvalho, Milner and Bajcetic entering the fray for Henderson, Elliott and Fabinho.

A worry for Jurgen Klopp to see Henderson limping - the Reds could do without another injury blow.

62nd min: Darwin Nunez making way after an eventful evening, with Curtis Jones taking his place.

52nd min: GOAL! Wow, Liverpool make it three out of nowhere!

Salah picks out a beauty of a ball in behind for Elliott, who takes a touch and smashes the ball into the roof of the net from the tightest of angles. 

What a finish from the 19-year-old!

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49th min: GOAL! Nunez makes up for that glaring miss by scoring Liverpool's second!

The Reds striker gets in front of his man from a Robertson corner to expertly flick a header in at the far post to double the visitors' lead.

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46th min: Ajax get the game restarted and know they need a win from here to keep their Champions League campaign alive.

HALFTIME: The whistle sounds in Amsterdam and, despite having been second-best for much of that 45 minutes, Liverpool are one goal ahead.

It could have been even better had Nunez not inexplicably hit the frame of the goal from close range moments after the opener. 

Still, Liverpool heading through as things stand - read more about the Champions League permutations here.

44th min: And now Liverpool hit the post!

Nunez is all alone with the goalkeeper stranded after Firmino unselfishly squares from Robertson's ball across the box, but the Uruguayan somehow strikes the upright. That's a poor, poor finish.

42nd min: GOAL! Liverpool take the lead - and you have to say it has come against the run of play.

It comes after a series of clever headed passes creates space for Henderson to play a beauty of an outside-of-the-foot ball to Salah.

The Egyptian's finish might have been more tricky, but goalkeeper Pasveer had wandered into no-man's land and was easily chipped from there.

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36th min: A defensive error from Liverpool allows Ajax to carve out a three-v-one in attack but, just as Tadic pulls the trigger, Alexander-Arnold gets his backside in the way to block the effort.

That's good defending but the visitors were wide open there.

29th min: Liverpool carve out their first real chance as a ball in behind is pulled back by Robertson and Salah's attempted volley is blocked.

That's the best passage of play they've put together yet.

16th min: Berghuis threatens again, this time curling an effort a couple of yards wide after a loose Alexander-Arnold pass lets Ajax in.

The hosts definitely enjoying the brighter start here.

10th min: Liverpool look like they are lining up in a diamond so far tonight, with Fabinho at the base, Henderson left, Elliott right, and Firmino at the point.

That leaves Salah and Nunez up top in this new shape.

3rd min: Ajax hit the post! 

The hosts work the ball from left to right across the Liverpool box far too easily but Berghuis doesn't make the most of the acres of space he finds himself in as he hammers the upright from close range.

A brilliant early chance and a major let-off for the visitors.

KICKOFF: Liverpool get us under way in the Dutch capital.

15 mins to KO: Five wins from eight games at home for Ajax so far this season, but they also suffered a 6-1 defeat to Napoli at this ground earlier this month.

Can they capitalise on Liverpool's patchy away form or will it be another night to forget in Amsterdam?

40 mins to KO: Alisson Becker making his 200th appearance for Liverpool this evening - he has been some signing for the Reds.

60 mins to KO: Is that the return of a 4-3-3 for Liverpool? 

In the absence of Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz, and with Fabio Carvalho on the bench, there is no natural left-sided player in that starting XI, you'd say. 

It'll be interesting to see how the Reds line-up.

70 mins to KO: We've got the team news.

Ajax: Pasveer, Sanchez, Timber, Bassey, Blind, Berghuis, Alvarez, Klaasen, Tadic, Brobbey, Bergwijn.

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Elliott, Salah, Nunez, Firmino.

90 mins to KO: Hello, and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of the Champions League fixture between Ajax and Liverpool. The hosts are looking to keep their hopes of progression alive with a win, while their opponents have the chance to seal progression to the knockout stages with a point this evening.

Ajax vs. Liverpool lineups

Alfred Schreuder goes with the same team that earned a 4-1 win over RKC Waalwijk on Saturday as Ajax look to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

Full-back Devyne Rensch and midfielder Kenneth Taylor both make the bench despite having been injury doubts.

Ajax lineup (4-3-3): Pasveer — Sanchez, Timber, Bassey, Blind — Berghuis, Alvarez, Klaassen — Tadic, Brobbey, Bergwijn

Subs: Stekelenburg, Gorter, Wijndal, Taylor, Ocampos, Rensch, Lucca, Kudus, Grillitsch, Magallan, Conceicao

Jurgen Klopp makes three changes to his starting line-up as Darwin Nunez, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson come in to start.

Thiago Alcantara misses out due to an ear infection as expected, but the bench is boosted by the return of Ibrahima Konate and Calvin Ramsay.

Liverpool lineup (4-4-2): Alisson (GK) — Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson — Fabinho, Henderson, Elliott, Firmino — Salah, Nunez

Subs: Adrian, Kelleher, Konate, Milner, Jones, Tsimikas, Ramsay, Carvalho, Bajcetic, Phillips

MORE: Which Liverpool players have won the Ballon d'Or?

What time is Ajax vs. Liverpool?

Ajax play host to Liverpool at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. It kicks off at 8.00 p.m. BST on Wednesday, October 26.

  UK USA Canada Australia
Date Wed, Oct. 26 Wed, Oct. 26 Wed, Oct. 26 Thu, Oct. 27
Time 8.00 p.m BST 3.00 p.m. ET 3.00 p.m. ET 06.00 a.m. AET

How to watch Ajax vs. Liverpool

  UK USA Canada Australia
Date October 26 October 26 October 26 October 27
Time 20:00 BST 15:00 ET 15:00 ET 06:00 AET
TV channel BT Sport 2   - -
Streaming BT Sport Paramount+, Vix+ DAZN Stan Sport

UK: The match will be broadcast on BT Sport 2 and streamed on BT Sport platforms.

USA: Paramount+ will provide the English-language stream for subscribers, ViX+ for Spanish listeners.

Canada: Every Champions League game streams live on DAZN. 

Australia: Every Champions League game streams live on Stan Sport. 

David Lynch

David Lynch Photo

David Lynch is a freelance football journalist primarily covering Liverpool FC. He has reported on the the Reds for over a decade for publications such as the Sunday Mirror and Evening Standard, carving out a reputation as a trusted voice on all things Anfield in the process. Having followed Liverpool across England and Europe over the course of his career, David has filed from illustrious venues such as Camp Nou, the Allianz Arena and the Estadio do Dragao, as well as from multiple Champions League finals.