CURT FINISH GIVES REDS A TOP NIGHT
Teenage star Jones makes his mark as Reds win their group
CURTIS JONES stepped onto the biggest stage of all to announce himself as the next great Liverpool talent.
The teenage midfielder scored a sublime goal against Ajax and produced a mature display to help his side through to the knock-out stages of the Champions League.
And, in the process, the 19-year-old grabbed a small milestone – his clever strike was the 50th Champions League goal of Jurgen Klopp’s reign at Liverpool.
Jones, a product of the Anfield academy, has scored some impressive goals since breaking into the Liverpool team.
And, in the midst of a crippling Kop injury crisis, he has looked like an old hand in the Liverpool midfield, never more so than last night.
In a team still rammed with stars, he looked completely at home alongside Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota, and caused the Dutch visitors a massive headache all evening.
The born-and-bred Scouser smashed one early right-foot shot against the Ajax post after a lay-off from Salah.
Undeterred, he tipped an open contest Liverpool’s way just before the hour-mark with the deftest of finishes. The goal was created by another rising young star too, Neco Williams delivering a deep cross from the right that drifted over Ajax keeper Andre Onana to allow Jones to ghost in at the far post.
It was still a difficult chance from a tight angle but Jones, with the outside of his right boot, made it look ok so easy.
Klopp (above) will hope that goal signals a change in fortune for his side.
If November was the cruellest month for Liverpool, with a snowballing injury list that became an avalanche, then at least December better tidings.
Under Klopp’s control the Reds have lost just one of their last 3 30 matches in December, be a remarkable statistic t given the i r p punishing schedule, m made even more impressive p by the fact th that the sole defeat wa was to Aston Villa in the EFL Cup when they were forced to field a youth team. The last time they lost to a Dutch side was back in 1965 – against a Johann Cruyff- inspired Ajax. There was no comparable talent this time around. But there was Davy promises
Klaassen, who arrived across the park at Everton in 2017 with a huge reputation and a price tag to match but disappeared without trace from the Premier League.
Here he did more in one half at Anfield that he managed in all his time at Goodison.
The 27-year-old Dutchman produced one fine save from rookie keeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who showed that he was not overawed by the daunting prospect of filling the massive gloves of Alisson, another muscle injury victim for the Reds.
He then missed two more headers when well positioned.
Not that Liverpool were without threat, as Jones proved with two more decent attempts.
Then Mane burst down the right and seemed to be clear until Perr Schuurs dragged him back. There wasn’t another defender within 20 yards and Mane was heading for the box – a clear redcard offence. But only a yellow was brandished, giving Ajax a huge let-off.
They almost capitalised, but 22-year-old Kelleher showed he can confidently cover for Alisson with a fine save from Antony. The save deserved a reprieve – and got it when David Neres fired the follow-up against the post.
From there, Liverpool completeted the job. In fact, with Atalanta only drawing, the Reds topped the group, which will come as a massive relief for Klopp who can now give his stars a night off in the final group game.
Kelleher showed Klopp made a wise choice with an astonishing stop from sub Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s close range header in the dying seconds.
At the final whistle the Reds manager embraced his young keeper, who never put a foot wrong all night.
Skipper Jordan Henderson said of match-winner Jones: “It was a great finish. Thankfully that got us the win.”