Jones seals progress for depleted Liverpool with win over Ajax

Victory ensures top spot in Group D for Jurgen Klopp's men

epa08856152 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp (L) congratulates player Neco Williams after the UEFA Champions League group D soccer match between Liverpool FC and Ajax Amsterdam in Liverpool, Britain, 01 December 2020.  EPA/Paul Ellis / POOL
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Teenager Curtis Jones grabbed a 58th-minute winner as an injury-hit Liverpool qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Ajax at Anfield on Tuesday.

The victory ensured top spot in Group D for Jurgen Klopp's side with 12 points, after rivals Atalanta were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Midtjylland.

Ajax, with seven points, are a point adrift of second-placed Atalanta and need victory over the Italians in their final group game to reach the last 16.

As well as Jones, 19, Klopp had another youngster to thank for their win, as Ireland Under-21 goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher produced a crucial save in the final stages of his Champions League debut.

Kelleher had been drafted in after first choice Alisson Becker became the latest addition to Liverpool's long injury list with a scan revealing a hamstring strain.

There was a youthful feel to Liverpool, with Neco Williams in at right back and Jones in midfield, and experienced alternatives in short supply.

Jones rattled a shot against the post in the sixth minute after being set-up by Mohamed Salah but the Dutch fought their way into the game with former Everton midfielder Davy Klaassen proving influential.

Kelleher was called into action in the 32nd minute as he tipped over a blast from Noussair Mazraoui.

After the break, Klaassen missed a decent chance, heading wide at the near post, and the Dutch side should have gone ahead when David Neres struck the post after Kelleher had pushed out a Mazraoui effort.

Then came the decisive moment. Ajax keeper Andre Onana badly misjudged a cross from Williams and allowed the ball to float over his head where Jones did well to guide it home at the back post.

Kelleher completed a memorable debut when he pulled off a vital save in the final minutes to keep out a header from Ajax's veteran substitute, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

"It was an amazing one for me," Kelleher said.

"To make my debut in a Champions League game was massive and we got the win and qualified. A great night.

"That's what I'm there for. I work every day in training to make sure I am ready and I was able to make a good few saves."