Liverpool defeated Ajax Amsterdam 2-1 in its Champions League Group A encounter on Tuesday, September 14, 2022 at Anfield thanks to a goal from Joel Matip in the 89th minute. Liverpool was last year’s runner-up.
The centre back rose to meet a corner that appeared to be cleared off the line, but the assistant referee raised his flag to indicate a goal, saving Jurgen Klopp‘s team from a second defeat after losing its opening group match 4-1 at Napoli.
Even though the English team’s performance was better, it was still far from its best.
After being set up by Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah gave the home team the lead in the 17th minute. The Egyptian beat Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer with a signature finish.
However, the advantage only lasted for ten minutes as Mohammed Kudus of Ajax equalised with an incredible goal. Kudus created some space for himself in the area before smashing the ball into the top corner.
Virgil van Dijk’s forceful header from a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner in the 35th minute forced Pasveer into action as Liverpool rebounded well from the loss.
As Pasveer broke into the inside-right channel, Alexander-Arnold cut inside on his left foot and struck a shot directly at his chest. The Ajax goalkeeper then responded superbly to block the ensuing shot.
After the break, Liverpool applied the majority of the pressure, but Ajax fullback Daley Blind had a fantastic opportunity to give the Dutch team the lead when he was left unmarked at the back post and headed wide.
After being set up by Salah in the 83rd minute, Liverpool’s substitute Darwin Nunez should have won the match, but the Uruguayan striker missed wide from a prime position inside the box.
After Salah’s shot was deflected and hit the post, Matip rose to head in the game-winning goal from a corner kick by Kostas Tsimikas.
After a challenging start to the season, Liverpool will be relieved just to have collected the three points.
The absence of yelling or booing during the pre-game ode to Queen Elizabeth will also have caused some rejoicing among club executives and the larger English football community.
Some Liverpool supporters who had jeered Prince William at Wembley Stadium in May were worried that they wouldn’t observe the “time of silence.”
