Klopp: Liverpool win ‘not sunshine football’
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp believes his side did not showcase their best football against Ajax, but the Champions League victory was ‘good enough’ for the German.
Liverpool never reached their best in Amsterdam and were visibly uncomfortable with the absence of Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson.
Brazilian midfielder Fabinho did a good job of filling in for Van Dijk and was one of the best players on the pitch.
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Sadio Mane contributed heavily to the goal which gave the Reds all three points in the Champions League. The forward turned brilliantly before taking a scuffed shot which was hit by defender Nicolas Tagliafico into his own goal.
Speaking about the performance, Klopp said (via BBC Sport): “It was good enough to win the game. That’s what you need. I think both teams could play better football. At moments it was wild. The pitch was deep and muddy. Three days ago it looked completely different and in training yesterday it looked different.
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“But we did not take our chances which was a shame. Ajax had a big one which hit the post. When you’re 1-0 up, these things can happen. But overall I’m happy with the game. It was not sunshine football but we wanted three points and we got it.”
Fabinho helped to keep his team in the lead with an impressive clearance on his own goal line. Klopp said about this: “I don’t know how it happened in the beginning. That’s a good example of how the boys did today. It was not perfect but they fought brilliantly.
“I really liked the fresh legs up front. Jordan Henderson – the medical staff told me no 90 minutes – but he did well. Rhys Williams played non-league football last year and now he has some Champions League football so what a moment for him. Some nice stories, three points.
“Xherdan Shaqiri was lively and Takumi Minamino was unbelievable. He is like a machine. It helps when you can make five changes.”
Liverpool fans will be pleased with their team’s ability to get three points against Ajax. Their next game in the Champions League is against FC Midtjylland at Anfield on Tuesday 27th October.