Ajax vs Liverpool Champions League result, final score and reaction as Reds seal qualification - live
Ajax 0-3 Liverpool: Reds got the point they needed to qualify for the knockout rounds thanks to a comfortable win in Amsterdam
Liverpool overcame a slow start to beat hosts Ajax FC 3-, ensuring a top-two finish in Group A and progress into the knockout stage of the Champions League.
Mohamed Salah put Liverpool ahead against the run of play three minutes before half-time and they then took command after the break with two quick goals from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott to claim a convincing triumph.
The victory kept them three points behind leaders Napoli, who won at home against Rangers in Italy at the same time to make it five out of five in the group.
Napoli will be at Anfield next Tuesday to decide top spot, when Liverpool would need victory by at least 3-0 to edge the Serie A leaders on the head-to-head result between the two after losing 4-1 in Naples in September.
Relive the action as Liverpool beat Ajax in the Champions League:
Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
48 mins: Close! Trent Alexander-Arnold is sent down the right wing and he flies up the pitch with the ball before hitting the byline and swinging in a cross.
Darwin Nunez leaps in front of Calvin Bassey but he can’t meet the cross with a header and the defender manages to get it away.
Second half: Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
Kick off: A reminder that Ajax need to win this game to stay in the competition so they’ll have to up the tempo in this second half which should also provide some opportunities for Liverpool.
The home side get the game restarted. No changes at the break.
HT Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
Mo Salah is now just one goal behind Steven Gerrard’s Liverpool record of most goals scored in Europe for the Reds (41).
HT Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
Advantage Liverpool at half-time.
Half-time: Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
45+1 mins: Liverpool lead at the break in Amsterdam. It hasn’t been the most electric and fluid performance from the Reds but a class finish from Mo Salah has given them the lead.
Steven Berghuis and Darwin Nunez have both his the post at opposite sides of the pitch which shows that there could be more goals in this game.
As it stands though Liverpool are heading into the last 16.
Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
44 mins: Off the post!
It’s one each now as Andy Robertson brings down a diagonal ball and drives up the pitch. He threads a pass into the penalty area to set up Roberto Firmino but he squares it back across to Darwin Nunez who has an open goal in front of him.
He takes the shot first time but strokes the effort straight into the near post!
GOAL! Ajax 0-1 Liverpool (Salah, 42’)⚽️
42 mins: Breakthrough!
Liverpool send the ball down the left side where Jordan Henderson collects it before glances across the pitch. He spots Mo Salah in loads of space and curls a pass into the box with the outside of his right boot.
Salah gets to the ball just as Remko Pasveer starts to come off his line and he waits for the goalkeeper to get close before flicking it over him and putting Liverpool ahead!
Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
39 mins: Harvey Elliott drifts inside and receives the ball in space just outside the penalty area. He looks around for options before deciding to have a go himself and hitting a decent left-footed shot towards goal.
The effort seems to be heading wide buy Remko Pasveer takes no chances and leaps across to smother it.
Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
36 mins: Chance!
Virgil van Dijk steps out of the back line to close down Brian Brobbey as the ball comes over the top but the forward wins the ball and squares a pass to send Ajax flying up the pitch.
They have three players running into the box with only Trent Alexander-Arnold back to defend. The ball comes over to Dusan Tadic who controls the ball then shoots only for the Liverpool right-back to get in front of the effort and make a much needed block.
Harvey Elliott clears the rebound.
Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
33 mins: It’s been a frustrating half an hour for Liverpool but they’be grown into the game and are operating around the Ajax penalty area.
The home side don’t look too keen to commit to tackles which helps the Red maintain possession. They work the ball wide on the left before Andy Robertson makes an underlapping run into the box and collects a pass.
The angle at goal is tight but he shoots and rattles an effort into the side netting.
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