Yahoo Finance 'Absolute howler' sends Liverpool into knockout stages
Liverpool have Ajax to thank for helping them progress to the knockout stages of the Champions League, after a shocking error gifted the Reds a 1-0 victory.
A second-half goal from midfielder Curtis Jones was enough for Jurgen Klopp's men to progress after the six-time champions overcame a lengthy injury toll to beat the Dutch side at Anfield.
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Jones' first European goal was handed to him on a platter after a horror moment from Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana.
The 24-year-old shot-stopper looked like comfortably dealing with a cross from Liverpool's Neco Williams, that appeared to be a little too deep into the box.
However, rather than take the overhead catch, Onana inexplicably decided to let the ball go, presumably thinking it would go out for a goal kick.
Jones made the most of the keeper's shocking error of judgement to steal in at the back post and squeeze the ball into the unguarded net.
It's an absolute HOWLER from Andre Onana 🤦
Just awful from the Ajax goalkeeper. Curtis Jones sneaks around the back for his first Champions League goal.
LIVE | https://t.co/dJXNVxxQLw#UCL #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/sHYmzqhhhJ— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) December 1, 2020
The goal proved to be the match-winner, with Klopp taking consolation from Liverpool's qualification, despite considerable injury problems and a congested fixture list.
Klopp can take comfort from the quality of the young players at his disposal, with both the goal-scorer and provider aged just 19.
At the other end, there was a confident debut from Irish goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who kept out a series of Ajax efforts in the absence of injured No.1 Alisson.
"The kids played exceptional," Klopp said.
"We defended like devils...
"This is the situation we are in, that is what you make of it and we are top of the group after match day five and we've never done that before.
"Unbelievably good."
13-time champions struggling to progress
In Group D's other game, Socceroos winger Awer Mabil's FC Midtjylland drew 1-1 with Atalanta to snare their first Champions League point.
The result leaves Ajax trailing Atalanta by one point, needing a home victory against the Italians in next week's finale to progress.
Another team fighting to book their sport in the knockout phase are 13-time champions Real Madrid, who crashed to a 2-0 defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Spanish giants face the very real prospect of an embarrassing group-stage exit after their second successive defeat in a row to the Ukrainian side.
Shakhtar have TWO 😲⚽
Real Madrid are punished on the break, and Thibaut Courtois is beaten at his near post.
What a performance this is from the Ukrainians!
LIVE | https://t.co/mbUcQMGfao#UCL #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/dFpDjF7pkI— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) December 1, 2020
Zinedine Zidane's Real would have advanced with a win in Kiev but the loss to Shakhtar leaves them third in Group B, behind the Ukrainian side and leaders Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Madrid have advanced to the knockout stage in all 24 of their previous group-stage campaigns, and failure to do so again would be nothing short of a disaster for one of the world's biggest clubs.
"We just have to keep our chins up and focus on the next game. There's nothing else we can do," Zidane said.
Gladbach missed the chance to advance after losing 3-2 at home to three-time champions Inter Milan, who had to win to stay alive.
Remarkably, all four sides in Group B can still qualify for the knockout phase.
Gladbach needs only draw at Madrid, while last-placed Inter will advance with a home win over Shakhtar next week unless Gladbach and Madrid draw.
Two-time winners Porto held already-qualified Manchester City to a 0-0 draw at home, although the Premier League giants ensured the top spot.
Atletico Madrid did not do enough, drawing 1-1 at home to Bayern Munich, even though the defending champions fielded a weakened side with qualification already ensured.
In Group A's other game, striker Mergim Berisha netted twice as Salzburg won 3-1 at Lokomotiv Moscow to move into third place.
Salzburg will upset the odds and qualify if they beat Atletico at home next week, but Diego Simeone's side need only a draw.
Marseille avoided the humiliation of a 14th straight competition defeat as Dimitri Payet netted two video-review penalties in a 2-1 home win against Olympiacos in Group C.
with AAP
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