Ajax 0-1 Liverpool: Player Ratings as Comical Own Goal Hands Reds Narrow Win in Amsterdam

Mane set up the goal, if you can put it like that
Mane set up the goal, if you can put it like that / Soccrates Images/Getty Images
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Liverpool secured a narrow 1-0 win over Ajax in their Champions League clash at the Johan Cruyff Arena, courtesy of Nicolas Tagliafico's comical own goal.

On the balance of play it was a victory that Jurgen Klopp's side deserved, although Ajax had chances of their own on a wet night in Amsterdam.

Here are you Liverpool and Ajax player ratings


Liverpool Player Ratings

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

An OK night for Gomez
An OK night for Gomez / Soccrates Images/Getty Images

Adrian (GK) - 5/10 - As shaky as ever but still managed to pull off a couple of very important saves.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB) - 6/10 -
Concedes far too many crosses down his side of the pitch. Becoming more exposed in recent weeks for his lack of having actual defensive ability.

Joe Gomez (CB) - 6/10 -
Didn't do too badly but was lacking sharpness in a few departments. Unsure whether to get tight or drop off. Not the same without Big Virg.

Fabinho (CB) - 8/10 -
Not exactly the perfect Virgil van Dijk replacement, but Fabinho has proven himself to be a more than valuable makeshift centre-back. Was much better in possession than Gomez and produced a stunning overhead clearance in the first half.

Andrew Robertson (LB) - 8/10 -
A constant outlet down the left hand side and caused Mazraoui plenty of issues throughout. Some great deliveries that weren't made the most of.


2. Midfielders

Didn't put a foot wrong. As usual.
Didn't put a foot wrong. As usual. / ANP Sport/Getty Images

James Milner (CM) - 5/10 - It's hard to be overly critical of someone who has only started one game this season, but Milner looked way off the pace on Wednesday night. An early yellow card did him no favours.

Georginio Wijnaldum (CM) - 8/10 - Excellent in the heart of midfield. Won every duel, bossed every loose ball and never relinquished possession. Liverpool's engine room all on his own.

Curtis Jones (CM) - 6/10 - Understandably safe on the ball as he eased himself into the match, but his best moments come when he takes risks and there wasn't enough positivity in his play at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.


3. Forwards

Got the assist(?) for the opener
Got the assist(?) for the opener / Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Mohamed Salah (RW) - 6/10 - Not enough urgency from the Egyptian in a tame first half but stepped it up in the second period. As with the rest of the front three his exceptional first touch meant he was always a threat.

Roberto Firmino (ST) - 6/10 - Did what he does best by providing the flicks to feed the wide men but didn't offer much of a threat. Well, to be fair, he rarely does.

Sadio Mane (LW) - 7/10 - The most dangerous of the front three, driving with the ball and stretching the Ajax back line. Lovely swivel in the box to set up the opening goal.


4. Substitutes

Jordan Henderson - 7/10

Takumi Minamino - 5/10

Diogo Jota - 6/10

Xherdan Shaqiri - 5/10

Rhys Williams - N/A


Ajax Player Ratings

5. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Whoops.
Whoops. / DeFodi Images/Getty Images

Andre Onana (GK) - 7/10

Noussair Mazraoui (RB) - 7/10

Perr Schuurs (CB) - 6/10

Lisandro Martínez (CB) - 6/10

Nicolás Tagliafico (LB) - 3/10


6. Midfielders

Klaassen smashed an effort against the post
Klaassen smashed an effort against the post / ANP Sport/Getty Images

Davy Klaassen (CM) - 6/10

Daley Blind (CM) - 7/10

Ryan Gravenberch (CM) - 6/10


7. Forwards

Tadic came inches away from equalising
Tadic came inches away from equalising / ANP Sport/Getty Images

David Neres (ST) - 5/10

Mohammed Kudus (ST) - N/A

Dušan Tadić (LW) - 8/10


8. Substitutes

Promes came on early in the first half
Promes came on early in the first half / ANP Sport/Getty Images

Quincy Promes - 7/10

Lassina Traore - 6/10

Zakaria Labyad - 7/10

Jurgen Ekkelenkamp - N/A

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar - N/A