LIVERPOOL, England (AP) – Jurgen Klopp may count on his youngsters to see Liverpool exhausted by Champions League injuries.
Curtis Jones’ first European goal secured a 1-0 win over Ajax on Tuesday, securing a place by knockout with a game to spare as a Group D winner.
The midfielder scored after connecting with a center of his compatriot Neco Williams, 19, taking credit for the capped goalkeeper André Onana and cutting the ball in the net with the outside of his right boot in the 58th minute.
“The children played exceptionally,” Klopp said after weeks of trials on the proper schedule to blame a succession of injuries. “We defend like demons. It’s not like we played the Array football. “
“That’s the scenario we’re on, that’s what you’re doing with it and we’re more sensitive to organization after the fifth day of play and we’ve never done it before. Incredibly good. “
It was a night for Onana that she still doesn’t forget in Caoimhin Kelleher’s purpose for the six-time European champions. Having made his deyet in Liverpool after Alisson Becker joined the disabled list, Kelleher’s 22-year-old functionality denied his experience.
A Klaas-Jan Huntelaar headbutt pierced the Irishman, who also oversaw an emerging shot from Noussair Mazraoui in the first half and repelled some other Ajax defense effort after halftime.
“We (young players) are not here just to participate,” Kelleher said. “We have to work every day and go out and play as many matches as possible. You can see that we are now making a difference and the team. “
Unsurprisingly, his impressive functionality was applauded on the sidelines, and when the final whistle blew, Klopp went to kiss Kelleher in Anfield’s last game before enthusiasts could return.
“It was easy for Caoimh because he deserves it, but it’s hard to oppose Adrian because he did well for us,” Klopp said of the more experienced 33-year-old Spaniard. “We needed the Caoimh package and he is a very sensible talent. ” , a very intelligent scorer and a great footballer.
“We needed it for the Ajax dry cleaners. It was good. At the end of the day, it’s about keeping the ball out of the net and he did it twice and he did it in an exceptional way. He’ll fall asleep” very well tonight or nothing.
On Wednesday, the city of Liverpool will wake up from a month’s sleep.
When England’s national blockade ends on Wednesday, Liverpool will enter the time for coronavirus restrictions, making sure that up to 2,000 enthusiasts are ready for Sunday’s Premier League match against Wolverhampton.
The last high-profile match played in England with a crowd when Liverpool hosted Atletico Madrid in the circular on 16 March 11, the day COVID-19 declared a pandemic.
While Liverpool will surely play back in the 16-round circular, Ajax will have to beat Atalanta in the Group D final. The Italian team, which beat Liverpool last week, completed a point ahead of Ajax in the position of moment through a 1–1 draw with FC Midtjylland.
With the first position entrusted for Liverpool, there is no desire to rush players for adjustment at Midtjylland Denmark next Wednesday.
Alisson ruled for up to two weeks due to a ham ham tendon injury sustained in the Premier League’s 1–1 draw at Brighton on Saturday.
Almost all of the first-choice defense is already offside, with central defenders Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez injured in the long run and right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold also left James Milner, who can serve as a canopy for both backs, also injured in Brighton.
What’s troubling for Klopp, defender Andrew Robertson hit his ankle and Captain Jordan Henderson had a back challenge opposed to Ajax.
“They have both played, so I would say we have two more days now than last week so I think it’s okay,” Klopp said. “Things like this happen the next day a little differently, but right now I am. It’s a challenge for the next few days, but not tonight.
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