Liverpool secured their place in the knockout phase of the Champions League on Wednesday evening after getting the better of Ajax.
Jurgen Klopp will hope his side can now build on this performance when Leeds United make the trip to Anfield on Saturday night.
Reflecting on the Reds' European triumph and upcoming Premier League game at Anfield, four Liverpool supporters have shared their views as part of a regular ECHO fan column.
Rhys Buchanan (city centre, @Rhys_Buchanan) - Mood lifted after dismal defeat by Forest
Well, what a difference a few days can make. The noise on the tram back to Amsterdam Centraal was palpable after Wednesday's Ajax game, with the main chant being a rousing rendition of Three Little Birds, and just maybe every little thing is ‘gonna be alright.’
That win against a proper European heavyweight was a massive statement for The Reds as a unit but also for certain individuals in the squad. Elliott continues to dazzle and live up to the hype, Nunez looks deadly and that finish from Salah was out of this world, not that we needed a reminder of his quality though.
There's no denying it was a tough first half and we had to ride our luck at times but, hopefully, we can use that second half as a platform to build on for Saturday night in what will be a fiercely up for it, under the lights occasion at Anfield.
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Andrew Cullen (Widnes, ( @brothersred5) - Champions League group completed in style
The sight of Hendo arching a sumptuous pass from the left wing to the Egyptian King who in turn lifted it over the advancing Ajax keeper into the goal last night was a sudden and glorious release from the gloom. The loss to bottom-placed Nottingham Forest in the early kick-off on Saturday morning was a real kick in the teeth. A chronic injury crisis, an ear infection and a punishing schedule of three games in six days were all extenuating circumstances, but you can’t tell me that that Liverpool team wasn’t good enough to put Forest away.
The loss punctuated the hope that had swelled after the consecutive Premier League home victories against Man City and West Ham that the Reds might just be able to rally together this season to push (against all odds) for the title.
This season has been rather discombobulating for the rank-and-file Liverpool supporter still shattered after the Herculean efforts of the last campaign. But as Darwin headed home last night (making amends for his earlier Rosenthal-esque miss) to make it two, and then young Harvey blasted home with his ‘not just for standing’ right peg for the third, we could enjoy the post-match highlights with a smile on our face.
Eighth place in the league and a dismal away record, sure, but we have qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League (Napoli away aside) in style.
David Shams (Washington D.C., @ShamsWriter) - Focus shifts to league form
With Champions League knockout stages guaranteed after a 3-0 win in Amsterdam, Liverpool fans can breathe a little easier. The squad should shift their focus on solidifying their league form as the six-week break for the World Cup in Qatar edges closer.
Last week, I suggested keeping Mohamed Salah central and we should continue that trend, but he did combine well with Harvey Elliott down the right side against Ajax.
Defending in the midfield third remains a let-down. In part, because Fabinho looks uncharacteristically lost much of the time. In the next few matches, it would be wise to focus on improving that.
In a long season, there will always be dips in form. At the moment, though, it’s all a bit too helter-skelter. With Leeds visiting on Saturday evening looking to end an eight-game winless streak, their intensity may make it difficult to establish any rhythm. Sometimes the only way out of these sorts of runs is to manufacture wins through grit and graft. Doing a job. Getting a match across the line. And maybe winning those ugly hard-fought matches through sheer force of will is exactly what the boys need to rediscover their form.
James Noble (Worcestershire, @james_noble98) - Patience could be key in Leeds showdown
Having something to look forward to in the New Year is always a good feeling. And, in terms of football seasons, it tends to represent an encouraging sign. Liverpool provided that in Amsterdam on Wednesday night by reaching the Champions League last-16. The manner in which they did so was pleasing. The timing, needless to say, was also very welcome.
This was an excellent response to Saturday’s cumbersome – if slightly unfortunate – loss at Nottingham Forest. All three of the goals, in a happy variety of ways, were slick in how they were created and finished. They came after another admittedly slow start, when Ajax could easily have gone ahead. Crucially, though, the Reds steadied themselves – and the game – and began to dictate things. Liverpool displayed that nous which they’ve developed over recent years. It was good to see it again.
It’s certainly something that can help us build a strong foundation for the spring. Leeds’ visit on Saturday may well be another chance to put it to good use. There have been high-scoring Anfield matches against both them and Jesse Marsch’s Salzburg in recent years, but solidity and patience may well prove decisive this time around.
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