Liverpool player ratings as Curtis Jones stars in Champions League win over Ajax

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Liverpool bounced back from the 2-0 defeat they suffered in their last Champions League game against Atalanta with a 1-0 win against Ajax, which helped them secure qualification for the knockout rounds.

A goal from Curtis Jones secured all three points for Jurgen Klopp's side, with the young midfielder scoring the only goal of the game in a bizarre second-half moment.

Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana came out to seemingly claim a cross from Neco Williams but inexplicably let the ball go over his head.

It promptly fell to Jones, whose one-touch finish into an empty net gave Liverpool the lead.

Liverpool player ratings

Caoimhin Kelleher – 8

The 22-year-old Irish goalkeeper was a shock selection in between the sticks, having been favoured ahead of Adrian with Alisson missing through injury, but Kelleher did not put a foot wrong. He was only called into action four times but made a pair of excellent saves to deny Noussair Mazraoui and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. He will be delighted with a clean sheet in his first Champions League start.

Andy Robertson – 7

Robertson did raise alarm bells early on when he suffered a knock on his left ankle but he shrugged it off to play the full 90 minutes and was typically impressive both offensively and defensively.

Fabinho – 8

Despite it not being his natural position, Fabinho has impressed at the back whenever he has played there for Liverpool and the Ajax game was no different.

Joel Matip – 7

He helped the inexperienced Williams grow into the game and made a number of key clearances, interceptions and tackles.

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Neco Williams – 7

He had a difficult task dealing with the tricky David Neres but managed to keep him relatively quiet. It was a much improved performance after the Atalanta game by the Welsh international, who assisted Jones' opener.

Curtis Jones – 8

The young midfielder rattled the woodwork with a good chance in the first-half and then capitalised on an error from Onana to give Liverpool the lead. He was busy both in attack and defence.

Georginio Wijnaldum – 7

Wijnaldum battled in midfield and helped stop a number of Ajax's attacking moves.

Jordan Henderson – 7

On the day he was announced as a nominee for the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year, Henderson put in a typically workmanlike display, breaking up play and making runs from midfield.

Sadio Mane – 7

The winger threatened throughout and had some joy up against Mazraoui.

Diogo Jota – 6

Jota got into the some good positions in the first-half but failed to test Onana. He was replaced by Roberto Firmino just after the hour mark.

Mohamed Salah – 7

The Egyptian had some good chances to put Liverpool 2-0 up on the counter-attack but was denied Onana. He made some good runs but was caught offside multiple times and just could not find the back of the net.

• Champions League
• Liverpool FC
• Football Wire

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