After a below-par performance against Nottingham Forest at the weekend, Liverpool made no mistake of securing three points against Ajax on Wednesday evening.
The home side threatened early on in the match, hitting the post inside two minutes through Steven Berghuis, but soon lost their way after Mohamed Salah put the Reds ahead before the break with a composed finish over Remko Pasveer.
Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott also managed to get on the scoresheet after the break, resulting in Jurgen Klopp's side booking their place in the knockout phase of the Champions League. For Ajax, the Europa League beckons after a disappointing set of group stage results on their behalf.
VERDICT: Jurgen Klopp reaches vital checkpoint as truth begins to emerge about Liverpool season
ANALYSIS: Paul Scholes is right about Jordan Henderson as Liverpool standards overlooked
Liverpool's opponents lost a number of key players during the summer and appear to have been unable to replace this quality - a suggestion the Dutch media are certainly onboard with. Below is a round-up of how they reacted to the Reds' win in the capital of the Netherlands.
'Catastrophic conseqeunces'
Mike Verweij of De Telegraaf wrote:
"Fifteen minutes before the break it became clear that Ajax would not keep up with the killer pace of the initial phase, in which the ball was quickly conquered again after losing it. Liverpool handed out the first teasing, but nevertheless Dusan Tadic was given a life-size opportunity. The Ajax captain shot the ball against Trent Alexander-Arnold.
"It turned out to be a miss with catastrophic consequences, because on the stroke of half-time the ball was in the net on the other side. And Sanchez had to charge himself for that. The Mexican awkwardly started the duel with Jordan Henderson, who got the ball beautifully from Mo Salah. The Reds' tastemaker had been invisible up to that point, but finished off in a fantastic way.
"Ajax was spared more goals against this time, but the 0-3 was painful enough. And the confirmation that the Ajax-under construction has lost its connection with the European top, whether or not temporarily."
'Little consolation'
Johan Inan of Algemeen Dagblad wrote:
"Ajax grabbed the lifebuoy that could still lead to the European elite but not. And worse: just like during the historic disgrace against Napoli, it disappeared completely from view shortly before and after the break.
"Liverpool were also able to lift the margin to three at crucial moments with a higher gear. And in doing so, old ailments came to light again. First Jorge Sanchez lost a header to Jordan Henderson, who with a beautiful pass was able to let Mohammed Salah take advantage of a routine who didn't squeeze (Daley Blind) and a routine who was just too proactive (Remko Pasveer). As is often the case, Ajax was very upset about that. A minute later, Darwin Nuñez hit the post.
"Ajax will therefore most likely play in the Europa League after the turn of the year. That is little consolation for the club that sees the European elite as a holy grail, but after a faltering transformation, is miles away from it, especially in defensive terms."
'Died in despair'
Willem Vissers of De Volkskrant wrote:
"This time it was 0-3 in the Johan Cruijff Arena. Another downfall. Fifteen goals against in five Champions League matches. Three points, earned against the even weaker brother Rangers. Almost every chance a goal against. The most expensive purchase, Steven Bergwijn, completely out of shape in this crucial phase. A goalkeeper, Remko Pasveer, who since his debut as an international seems lost in a pitch-dark forest, where he is afraid to use his hands and sometimes just walks somewhere, looking for the light.
"Yes, what if Steven Berghuis had scored instead of hitting the post after two minutes and eight seconds, after the ball had landed in smooth movements through Dusan Tadic and Brian Brobbey? Yes, who knows. By the way, it doesn't say everything, because against Napoli Ajax came in 1-0, and then it became 1-6.
"The fact is that the current Ajax, stripped down by buyers in the summer and ending up on the catwalk of the new season with a less expensive outfit, cannot compete at all with the European top. Ajax is an extra. A stadium full of fellow believers, singing their song of songs, though prayer gradually died in despair, silence and booing. Every burden had been thrown off."
'An annoying fly'
John Grate of Trouw wrote:
"A look at the goal difference immediately shows what is particularly lacking at Ajax. It has already conceded 15 goals in five Champions League matches. Defensively, Alfred Schreuder's team bumped into the same stone again on Wednesday. Liverpool didn't need top form to beat Ajax off like an annoying fly. Again things went wrong with the backs, especially Sanchez, and again with a corner and so there were already painful figures on the board long before time in a Johan Cruijff Arena that drained prematurely.
"Salah's 0-1 also turned out to be the death blow for Ajax. That became clear shortly after. As is often the case this season, Ajax conceded a goal from a corner. Darwin Nunez was faster at the ball than Timber and Sanchez and headed in the 0-2. Ajax then completely fell through his hooves. The wandering Salah, who again was not picked up by any Ajax player, found Elliott who scored the 0-3.
"After that Ajax insisted a bit more, but even a goal of honor was too much to ask. The team can focus on the Europa League after the World Cup and the winter, if they do not lose to Rangers FC by more than four goals next week."
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