PLAYER RATINGS: AJAX 0-3 LIVERPOOL

Liverpool ran out 3-0 winners over Ajax tonight as they clinched qualification to the knockout stages. Goals from Salah, Nunez and Elliott made it a comfortable night in the end despite the hosts throwing everything at it. Here are player ratings from the encounter.

Alisson – 7

Made a comfortable save from one long range effort. Saw one from Berghuis flash wide. Calm in possession and not actually called into action much despite the early onslaught.

Alexander-Arnold – 8.5

Kept Tadic quiet and grew into the game as it wore on. His range of passing was on display. Really enjoyed himself tonight. Had a stint on the left wing late on. Huge goal saving block on Tadic’s shot first half to keep the score level.

Gomez – 9

Back to his best tonight. Dealt well with the physical Brobbey and didn’t put a foot wrong. When the pressure was on in the first half hour, he was hitting long balls over the top that caused panic among the Ajax backline. That seemed our likeliest route to goal till the side settled. A really accomplished display.

Van Dijk – 7

Too lackadaisical when he was pushed off the ball by Brobbey, with Ajax going close to scoring off that attack. Was otherwise solid. Went close from a few attacking set pieces. Drove forward into midfield second half.

Robertson – 9

Started slowly with almost every forward pass going straight to an Ajax shirt. Picked a battle with Bergwijn and rose to the occasion after that. That needle seemed to drive him on. He was excellent second half, bombing on with purpose and finding his forwards when he did so.

Lovely corner for Darwin to make it 2-0. Almost found the net himself when he smashed one into the side netting from a tight angle first half. He dominated Bergwijn so much so that the Dutch international was switched to the opposite flank.

Fabinho – 6.5

Looked like there was too much space for him to cover at times in this double pivot system. Slow on the turn. Gave the ball away a fair bit. Improved when the whole side did.

Henderson – 8

Full of energy. Pulled off to the left wing a lot. It was from that position he created the opening goal when he found Salah with a filthy pass with the outside of his boot. Was a leader when a leader was required first half. Went off with a painful looking knee injury. A good night for the skipper. That assist was glorious.

Elliott – 7.5

Struggled in the frantic early exchanges. Didn’t show enough composure to pick a pass when he got it. Stuck to his defensive task though and supported Trent well. Took his goal with aplomb after making an intelligent run into the space Salah had vacated.

He received the pass from Mo and got his body infront of his man before rifling into the roof of the net with his weaker foot. What a finish! Had a few opportunities to spring Salah in behind after that but overhit it every time. A sign of tiredness perhaps. A second Champions League goal of his career. Not a bad night.

Firmino – 7.5

Dropped very very deep tonight. Almost like he had a free role in what looked like a 4-4-2 diamond with him at the tip of that diamond. He was horrendous first 30 with every touch turning possession over. He grew into it as well though and set one on a plate for Darwin on the stroke of halftime.

Kept popping up all over the pitch to offer himself as a passing option for teammates. Kept possession better second half. A tireless performances that may not grab the headlines but he was crucial in tonight’s win.

Darwin – 8

Struggled first 30 like the rest of them. Should have scored when Firmino found him backpost for a tap in. Saw his effort come back off the base of the post when he had time to actually take a touch. Second half he was a different animal. Headed home Robbo’s corner and worked his socks off.

One crucial interception in his own box was nice to see. Grew in confidence and carried the ball forward well on one dangerous counter. He’s now scored in each of his last four starts.

Salah – 9

Showed a moment of quality to open the scoring and break Ajax spirits. It was a confident first time finish over the goalkeeper. He then showed great vision to play Harvey in behind for his goal second half. Was a constant threat in behind as he enjoyed a titanic battle with Bassey.

Was cynically fouled by the touchline late on and that seemed to slow him down towards the end. A goal and assist to his name tonight.

Substitutes

Jones – 6.5

Fitted in where he was needed. Offered safety on the ball in tight spaces and work rate off it. Played on the left before switching to the right with Carvalho’s introduction.

Bajcetic – 6

The youngster didn’t look out of place when he came on. That’s a huge compliment. He showed confidence to get on the ball and find a pass. Tried his lick from range. Left for dead by one purposeful Timber run though.

Milner – 6

Was heavily involved after coming on. Almost played Carvalho clean through on goal but Pasveer was swift off his line to clear.

Carvalho – 6

Showed some neat footwork to keep possession under pressure. Unlucky not to score late on when Firmino’s unselfish pass saw him almost trod on the ball a few yards from goal.

Tsimikas – N/A

One interception on the slide to halt a counter.

Jürgen Klopp

He made three changes to the side that lost at Forest. Trent, Henderson and Darwin came back into the XI in place of Milner, Jones and Carvalho. He saw his side weather the early Ajax onslaught before going on to make their quality shine through.

A clinical showing made it four wins on the bounce in this competition as a place in the Round of 16 was booked in style. On to the troublesome Premier League campaign now, with Leeds Un awaiting at the weekend.