Liverpool’s Joel Matip headed in an 89th-minute winner as last season’s runners-up left it late to beat Ajax Amsterdam 2-1 in their Champions League Group A match at Anfield on Tuesday.
Juergen Klopp’s side had lost their opening game in the group 4-1 at Napoli and were heading for another disappointing result until the centre-back rose to meet a corner that appeared to be cleared off the line, but the assistant referee raised his flag to indicate a goal.
It was an improved performance from the English team but one which was still far below their best.
Mohamed Salah fired the home side ahead in the 17th minute after being picked out by Diogo Jota, the Egyptian beating Ajax keeper Remko Pasveer with a trademark finish.
But the lead lasted just 10 minutes before Ajax pulled level with a stunning strike from Mohammed Kudus who worked himself some space in the box before hammering the ball into the top corner.
There will also have been some relief among Liverpool officials and the broader English football community that there was no chanting or booing during the pre-match tribute to Queen Elizabeth.
There had been some concern that some Liverpool fans, who had booed Prince William at Wembley Stadium in May, would not respect the ‘period of silence’.
There was no serious disruption although a few isolated shouts did interrupt the silence which lasted only 25 seconds, rather than the usual one minute.
