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 0-0 Liverpool
30 mins: Edson Alvarez sees his pass intercepted and Liverpool transition quickly into attack with Mo Salah sent sprinting forward on the counter.
He needs some support and lays the ball off to Jordan Henderson who shifts it to the left and drives to the byline on the edge of the box.
The Liverpool captain lifts the ball into the area but his cross goes over but Salah and Nunez allowing Ajax to work it clear.
Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
27 mins: A slight clip from Roberto Firmino sends Steven Berghuis flying to the floor and he convinces the referee to award Ajax a free kick.
Ajax play it quickly but continue to pass it around the back line.
Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
24 mins: Ajax are the ones controlling the tempo and dictating the game. Liverpool haven’t yet had any prolonged period on the ball but other than Berghuis hitting the post the home side haven’t done a great deal with all their possession.
Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
21 mins: Oh hello. A long ball booted up the pitch by Joe Gomez keeps Darwin Nunez interested as he jostles with Jorge Sanchez to get close to the ball.
It drops over the head of the Liverpool striker and bounces into the box where Remko Pasveer grabs hold of it to end Nunez’s interest in attacking.
Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
18 mins: Nice defending from Liverpool who hold their shape well and follow the ball across the front of their own penalty area using a couple of defenders to close it down whenever Ajax move it across the pitch.
It comes over to Tadic but he has nowhere to go and is forced to retreat.
Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
15 mins: Steven Berghuis whips a flat free kick into the Liverpool box and seems to target Calvin Bassey over by the back post but Jordan Henderson gets his head on the ball first and nods it away.
The home side recycle it and slip a through ball down the right channel for Tadic who has stayed over on that side of the pitch. He lifts a cross into the box but Alisson confidently comes out and claims it.
Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
12 mins: Ajax try to play out from the back and beat the Liverpool press. They almost pull it off with a pass up to Tadic on the left wing but he’s closed down by Gomez who leaves a bit on the home side’s captain as he makes the tackle and knocks the ball out for a thrown in.
There’s been a few of these heavier tackles already in this game and the referee seems perfectly happy to let play go on after them.
Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
9 mins: Liverpool play the ball out from the back and send it into the midfield where Mo Salah has dropped in order to get ont he ball.
He moves it quickly towards goal then looks to thread a pass in behind for Darwin Nunez but it comes too close to Jurrien Timber who manages to intercept.
Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
6 mins: Ajax are very keen to move the ball quickly and they’re trying to keep Liverpool on the back foot. The knock the ball nicely from one side of the pitch to the other as it comes out to Steven Bergwijn on the right wing.
He carries it forward before lifting a cross over to the back post where Dusan Tadic fails to control a header and the ball glances off the top of his head and out of the box.
Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
3 mins: Off the post!
Ajax win the ball in the middle of the pitch and work it quickly out to Dusan Tadic on the left side. Joe Gomez sprints across beating the forward to the ball but he has no time to bring it under control so belts it out for a throw in.
The home get the ball back in play quickly and an attempted cross is deflected into the penalty area where it’s won by Brian Brobbey. He lays the ball off to Steven Berghuis who shifts it to the right and shoots with just Alisson to beat.
The ball sneaks past the Liverpool goalkeeper but hits the post and bounces clear!
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