Liverpool vs. Ajax result, report and highlights as Joel Matip heads home late winner

David Lynch

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Liverpool vs. Ajax result, report and highlights as Joel Matip heads home late winner image

ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL — Joel Matip scored a late header to secure Liverpool a crucial 2-1 Champions League victory over Ajax at Anfield. 

The Reds looked to be heading for a damaging home draw after seeing Mohamed Salah's opener cancelled out by a thunderous Mohammed Kudus strike in the first half.

However, Matip rose highest from a corner in the 89th minute to send Anfield wild and ensure a 4-1 defeat at Napoli in the opening game of Group A was quickly forgotten.

With no Premier League fixture this weekend, Jurgen Klopp's men will hope this result and an improved performance can ignite a season to which they have made a stuttering start.

Liverpool vs. Ajax final score

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

Goals
LIV: Salah (17th min)
AJA: Kudus (27th min)
LIV: Matip (89th min)

Liverpool vs. Ajax live updates, highlights from Champions League clash

FULLTIME: The whistle sounds and that's a massive victory for Liverpool. The complexion of Group A means giving up points to a fellow rival for qualification at Anfield would have represented a massive blow.

Fortunately for Jurgen Klopp, a late twist in the tale has brought victory for his team.

89th min: GOAL! Liverpool have surely won it! Joel Matip leaps to meet a corner delivery unmarked and heads the ball goalward where an Ajax man appears to clear...

However, the referee points to his watch and that ball has clearly crossed the line. A massive moment.

81st min: Liverpool pressing for that winner now but Ajax looking comfortable in their defensive shape. And there's always that threat on the counter...

71st min: Those attacking changes have served to disrupt the flow of the game somewhat rather than turn things in Liverpool's favour.

Plenty of time left for either side to win this, though.

64th min: A change imminent.

51st min: Van Dijk rises highest to meet a free-kick delivery into the box but his attempt is high and wide.

That's a couple of those the Dutchman has met and might have done a little better with tonight.

46th min: Ajax get the game restarted.

HALFTIME: Level at the break at Anfield after Salah's opener was cancelled out by a brilliant Kudus strike. 

44th min: Liverpool still knocking on the door with Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk both going close. Unlike in Naples, the Reds are creating opportunities.

37th min: Two stats: one impressive, one quite damning.

27th min: GOAL! Ajax level it up! 

It's far too easy for the visitors to work the ball down Liverpool's right before a low cross finds Kudus and he drops the shoulder on Van Dijk before cracking a shot in off the bar. What. A. Finish.

22nd min: Diaz and Jota go close in quick succession, both players sending shots whistling past Pasveer's right-hand post.

17th min: GOAL! Liverpool get themselves ahead and it's Mohamed Salah with the finish. 

Diogo Jota latches onto a Luis Diaz headed flick-on and turns in acres of space in the No.10 position before feeding Salah. The Egyptian's touch is typically good and leaves him with plenty of time to pass the ball home.

10th min: A cagey start to proceedings but Liverpool's right-hand side is looking like their best prospect of creating. 

KICKOFF: After an impeccably observed minute's silence in memory of Queen Elizabeth II, the game gets under way.

10 mins to kickoff: 'You'll Never Walk Alone' rings out across the stadium with the atmosphere ramping up nicely here.

This has all the hallmarks of a big European night at Anfield, as you'd expect given the prestige of the opponent.

30 mins to kickoff: Both teams out for their warm-ups at Anfield and the Ajax fans are already making a racket over in the away section.

50 mins to kickoff: Liverpool still only naming the nine substitutes this evening, despite Champions League rules allowing for 12.

That shows you that, while Klopp's injury crisis is easing slightly, there are still plenty of players sidelined.

1 hour 15 mins to kickoff: So, returns to the Liverpool lineup for the fit-again Diogo Jota and Thiago Alcantara, with Darwin Nunez starting on the bench.

And an Ajax team that lines up exactly as expected. 

1 hour 20 mins to kickoff: Team news is in!

1 hour 30 mins to kickoff: Team news should be with us in around 15 minutes here at Anfield and some tricky decisions for Jurgen Klopp to make.

Does Thiago Alcantara come back in for a start after his recent return to fitness and is it Darwin Nunez or Diogo Jota for that central striking role?

2 hours to kickoff: Welcome to Sporting News' live coverage of Liverpool vs. Ajax in the Champions League group stages.

A massive night awaits the Reds as they look to bounce back from a 4-1 defeat at Napoli, but they are sure to face a difficult test up against an Ajax side who started their group campaign by beating Rangers 4-0.

Liverpool vs. Ajax lineups

Klopp was hit by the loss of Andy Robertson to injury this week, meaning Kostas Tsimikas gets the nod at left-back.

Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip also return, while Diogo Jota starts ahead of Darwin Nunez in the centre-forward position.

Liverpool starting lineup (4-3-3): Alisson (GK) — Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas — Elliott, Fabinho, Thiago — Salah, Jota, Diaz

Former Tottenham forward Steven Bergwijn makes his return to England as part of the starting line-up, with Ajax sticking to their favoured 4-3-3 formation.

Ajax starting lineup (4-3-3): Pasveer (GK) — Rensch, Timber, Bassey, Blind — Berghuis, Alvarez, Taylor  — Tadic, Kudus, Bergwijn

MORE: Champions League top goal scorers 2022/23: Updated golden boot rankings

What time is Liverpool vs. Ajax?

Liverpool play host to Ajax at Anfield in Liverpool, England. It kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on Tues, Sep 13.

  UK USA Canada Australia
Date Tues, Sep 13 Tues, Sep 13 Tues, Sep 13 Weds, Sep 14
Time 20:00 BST 15:00 ET 15:00 ET 05:00 AET

How to watch Liverpool vs. Ajax

  UK USA Canada Australia
TV channel BT Sport 2 - - -
Streaming BT Sport website/app Paramount+/VIX+ DAZN Stan Sport

UK: Champions League matches are carried across BT Sport streaming and TV platforms. BT Sport 2 will show tonight's match.

USA: Liverpool vs. Ajax will be shown on streaming services Paramount+ and VIX+.

Canada: Every Champions League match all season long are broadcast in Canada via DAZN.

Australia: Every Champions League match all season long are streamed in Australia via 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.