A big moment: Matip gets Liverpool over the line
This was not quite the reinvention of Liverpool that Jurgen Klopp had hoped for. In fact, it could even have been a damaging defeat had Ajax not spurned their sporadic chances in the second half. But the Liverpool manager could not hide his delight after the 2-1 win at Anfield thanks to Joel Matip’s late header.
And with good reason. This was huge. One point from two Champions League games going into a double-header against Rangers would have been fraught with difficulty. Now there is some relief, some optimism, and maybe something to build the season on.
The atmosphere had been a little subdued in the early part of the game but it reached a crescendo in the closing moments and that was a credit to Liverpool’s ambition. Klopp threw on the attacking substitutes and was rewarded with the winning goal.
It was not a substitute who scored the goal but Liverpool’s depth did make a difference and they will hope to have more players fit and fresh following the international break. The rhythm is not quite there yet but that goal still felt like a big moment in their season.Adam Bate