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:
Salah to eclipse Gerrard?
Following his record-breaking, six-minute hat-trick in Glasgow last time out in the Champions League Mo Salah is now just two goals shy of Steven Gerrard’s Liverpool record of 41 goals in European competition.
Will he overcome Gerrard’s tally tonight?
Jordan Henderson to face no FA action following clash with Arsenal’s Gabriel
Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson will face no action following an angry spat with Arsenal defender Gabriel.
The pair clashed late in the Gunners’ 3-2 Premier League victory over the Reds at the Emirates Stadium on 9 October after the home side had been awarded a penalty.
An investigation was launched amid claims the England midfielder, who strenuously denied the allegation, had made a comment which incensed the Brazilian.
However, after launching an investigation during which both men and six more players provided witness statements, the Football Association has confirmed it will take no further action.
Jordan Henderson to face no FA action following clash with Arsenal’s Gabriel
The pair clashed after the Gunners had been awarded a controversial penalty
Group A permutations
Liverpool will earn a place in the last 16 if they avoid defeat at Johan Cruyff Arena tonight but if Jurgen Klopp’s men lose they will require a point against Napoli at Anfield on November 1st to be certain of progressing - Napoli have already sealed their place in the first knockout round.
If Liverpool fail to beat Ajax and Napoli defeat Rangers tonight, then Luciano Spalletti’s side will be confirmed as group winners.
The Reds can still claim top spot if they better Napoli’s results by four points in the remaining two rounds of fixtures or if both teams win tonight and Liverpool then beat Napoli by a margin of four goals or more in the final group game.
Third-placed Ajax must beat Liverpool to keep their hopes of qualification alive, while Rangers have already been eliminated but are still able to finish in third position and claim a place in the Europa League’s round of 32.
‘We will do everything we can to win‘
Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder knows his team must win this game to prevent Liverpool from joining Napoli in the next round as the two qualifiers from Group A and he says that his players believe they can overcome the reds tonight.
“In the end it’s about the points. We have to believe we can do it and show healthy courage and aggression,” said Schreuder.
“We will do everything we can to win until the end. If we have to be satisfied with a point, then that’s what we will have to do. But we want to go for the win for as long as possible.”
Injury updates from Klopp
Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp, was asked to give updates on the status of those players who are currently sidelined through injury and the manager threw out a few tidbits.
Speaking about Thiago Alcantara, Klopp simply replied: “still out.”
He added: “[Konate] is here. Ready to play minutes, I would say. He could play the first minutes but that would not make too much sense, so minutes yes. That’s it. Nothing new yet.
“[Darwin Nunez] trained normal yesterday and today. So yes, in this moment, he is available.”
Jurgen Klopp frustrated by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita Champions League ineligibility
Jurgen Klopp rued the incorrect advice he received that has left Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita ineligible to play for Liverpool in the Champions League group stages.
Liverpool chose to omit the two midfielders from the 24-man squad they named in early September as they thought that neither would be fit for their six matches in Group A.
But while Oxlade-Chamberlain was able to come off the bench in Saturday’s defeat to Nottingham Forest and Keita has resumed training, neither is registered to face Ajax on Wednesday.
And Liverpool will be without two other midfielders, with Arthur Melo a long-term absentee and Thiago Alcantara still suffering with the ear infection that forced him to miss the Forest game.
Klopp frustrated by Oxlade-Chamberlain and Keita Champions League ineligibility
The midfield pair weren’t registered for the Champions League group stage due to injury but are now back fit
Ajax vs Liverpoolearly team news and predicted line-ups
Darwin Nunez is back fit for Liverpool after missing the defeat at Nottingham Forest with a hamstring worry, while Ibrahima Konate is set to return to the bench.
Thiago Alacantara remains out with an ear infection, with Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota long-term absentees.
Jurgen Klopp has been left frustrated after leaving Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad as they thought that neither would be fit for their six matches in Group A.
Kenneth Taylor, Devyne Rensch and Edson Alvarez should return for Ajax.
Predicted line-ups
Ajax: Pasveer; Sanchez, Timber, Bassey, Blind; Klaassen, Alvarez, Berghuis; Tadic, Kudus, Bergwijn
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Jones; Salah, Firmino, Nunez
Ajax vs Liverpool
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Champions League action as Ajax host Liverpool in Group A.
Jurgen Klopp’s side need to collect just one more point to make it through to the knockout stages of Europe’s top competition and they will be hoping to secure qualification with one match left to go in the group stages. Back in September the Reds needed Joel Matip’s 89th minute header to get past tonight’s opponents after Ajax levelled the again 1-1 in the first half at Anfield. It was a frustrating night for Liverpool who bossed possession and chances created but were not clinical in front of goal.
Those problems may come to the fore again this evening as Liverpool juggle another injury crisis that has seen Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota sidelined. Darwin Nunez missed the Premier League defeat to Nottingham Forest but may be fit to feature but if not the Reds are once again reliant on Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah in front of goal.
How will the match play out this evening? We’ll bring you all the build-up, including team news, before kick off at 8pm.
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