Liverpool finally kicked off their Champions League campaign with a dramatic 2-1 win against Ajax at Anfield last night.
Joel Matip's 89th-minute header crept inches over the line before meeting Dusan Tadic's head, with referee Artur Dias sending the Kop into rapture once his goal line technology confirmed as much. It was a night of improvement for Jurgen Klopp's side - hard not to have been after a 4-1 defeat in Napoli that the Reds boss described as the worst performance of his tenure - but also a night that just needed a win. Any win.
Reds fans will have been delighted to see Mohamed Salah back on the scoresheet after failing to find the net in his last four games. Equally, the return to fitness and form for Thiago Alcantara, Matip and Diogo Jota point to a future of improving squad depth. But after a week in which the right side of defence was picked apart in forensic fashion, it was a run in behind Trent Alexander-Arnold that led to Mohamed Kudus' goal.
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But Matip's late header alleviated those worries, providing the Reds with an invaluable lift going into the international break. And here is what the national media had to say on another dramatic night at Anfield.
Henry Winter - The Times
"Just when Liverpool desperately needed someone to rise to the occasion, Joël Matip did. Just when it looked like Liverpool were slumping to another disappointing result, Matip climbed high after 89 minutes to change the narrative and the mood. One header transformed the headlines.
"And breathe. Shortly afterwards, the final whistle having confirmed victory, Jürgen Klopp stood in front of the Kop, put his hand over his heart, and exhaled extravagantly, signalling his relief. A draw would have been damaging to Liverpool’s Champions League ambitions, yet now they are on three points, recovering from their embarrassment away to Napoli, and will hope to impose themselves on Rangers home and away.
"Liverpool were far from the whirlwind that blew away so many opponents over the past four years. They huffed and puffed at times here. They had 24 attempts on goal, but defeated Remko Pasveer only twice, although that was partly due to the Ajax goalkeeper’s excellence. Liverpool lack some of their fluency and cutting edge, but some of their intensity returned here."
Andy Hunter - The Guardian
"Another night of Champions League torment had beckoned for Liverpool until Matip connected with a Kostas Tsimikas corner and goalline technology rendered Dusan Tadic’s clearance redundant. Liverpool had answered Klopp’s call to react to last week’s abysmal defeat in Naples with a committed and cohesive performance; the returning Thiago Alcântara to the fore, Mohamed Salah rediscovering his goalscoring touch and Tsimikas embodying the tenacity that the occasion demanded.
"A draw would have done little for morale, momentum or qualification prospects, however, hence the wild scenes led by the usually mild-mannered Matip in front of the Kop when his first Champions League goal since 2013 was confirmed.
"It was late, scruffy and Liverpool have plenty of improvement left to make. They were wasteful in front of goal, careless with the final pass and easily undone for the Ajax equaliser brilliantly dispatched by Mohammed Kudus. But it was ultimately a precious victory for Klopp’s team, a deserved reward for their collective endeavour, and will transform the mood during the prolonged international break."
Richard Jolly - The Independent
"Arguably Jurgen Klopp’s first great European night at Anfield culminated in a late winner from a centre-back sent up for a set-piece. If Ajax in 2022 may not yet belong alongside Dortmund in 2016, Joel Matip’s decider here might rank alongside Dejan Lovren’s against Klopp’s old employers six years ago in terms of its importance.
"After the worst display of his reign and the nightmare in Naples, Liverpool required a response and a win.
"Vindication for Klopp, perhaps. He had brought four players into the side. Each played his part. Matip scored, Tsimikas and Diogo Jota earned assists and Thiago Alcantara lent class in possession. Just as pertinently, each played well. So did Liverpool, albeit imperfectly. On a day when they had 23 shots, they eventually mustered a second goal to ensure shortcomings in either box did not cost them."
Daniel Storey - The i
"These were supposed to be easier assignments and this team is supposed to be more coherent than this. But if Klopp has brought champagne nights to Anfield, sometimes Lambrini evenings are enough.
"Salah is still too peripheral for any Liverpool supporter’s liking. He did touch the ball more frequently in the penalty area, but it was almost always in the same scenario: wide edge of the box, well below sprinting pace, two men in front of him. Three attempts is not sufficient for the most regular shot-taker in the Premier League last season, particularly when one goes in and another hits the bar.
"Darwin Nunez is snatching shots in a bid to impress. Alexander-Arnold was still caught between the two worlds of defence and attack. When Ajax attacked on the break, playing their one-touch passes to feet or around the corner with the telepathic understanding that only comes through infinite practice, Liverpool dodged sticky moments that would have led to clangs of crisis.
"This matters not, for now. Even if those who talk of crisis are kept outside the door, the only way to muffle their sounds is to suggest that crisis is a time of opportunity as well as adversity. With five minutes left on Tuesday night, Liverpool were playing desperate catch-up. As desperation ceased with one head on one cross, Anfield released its frustration into a war."
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