Liverpool blew Ajax away with an impressive second-half performance to beat the Eredivise titans 3-0.
Jurgen Klopp's side came into the clash knowing that just a point would be enough to seal their status in the knockout stages of the competition. With that in mind, they should have been 1-0 down just three minutes in but Steven Berghuis rattled the upright from around 10 yards out.
Considering Ajax knew only a win would suffice for them to stay in the tournament, Berghuis' miss only increased the anxiety in the stadium. The hosts certainly had the better of the early chances, but failed to get the better of Alisson.
Ajax were made to pay for their profligate nature in front of goal shortly before the first-half came to an end, as Mohamed Salah put the visitors in front with a stellar lobbed effort that undeniably came against the run of play.
Liverpool could have had a second just minutes later, but marquee summer signing Darwin Nunez could only hit the post with the whole goal gaping after Roberto Firmino put the chance on a plate for the 23-year-old.
The floodgates opened up early on in the second half, with Nunez eventually getting his goal courtesy of a perfectly guided header before Harvey Elliot fired high into the roof of the net to make it 3-0.
Mirror Football has taken a look at the main talking points from the Johan Cruyff Arena.
No sign of Liverpool’s away jitters
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Klopp’s men have struggled desperately away from Anfield so far this season, but you wouldn’t have thought as much judging by Wednesday night’s second-half display.
The Reds have won just two of their six games on the road this term, with both of those victories coming in the Champions League against Rangers and Ajax respectively.
All of the frailties that were on display on Saturday at the home of Nottingham Forest during the 1-0 defeat barely reared their head at all in the Dutch capital, with Alisson barely having to make a save after the half hour-mark.
Three goals inside a stellar 10-minute period either side of the half-time whistle meant Liverpool could spend the last knockings of the contest in cruise control, instead of frantically chasing the game like they were forced to last Saturday.
Salah’s European heroics continue
Some have questioned the form of Salah in the league over the last few weeks, but his purple patch in European competition is something to behold.
The Egyptian international now has six goals in his last five Champions League games and this one may have been the pick of the bunch.
Latching on to a gorgeous Jordan Henderson pass that the Reds skipper weighted perfectly with the outside of his boot, Salah managed to loft his effort over the head of the onrushing Remko Pasveer and hand Liverpool an undeserved lead.
Salah’s strike also means he is now just one goal behind Reds legend Steven Gerrard when it comes to goals scored in Europe for the club.
Man Utd target Timber has mixed game
Young Ajax centre-back Jurrien Timber was the subject of intense interest from Manchester United over the summer and this performance was enough to explain why.
The 22-year-old had quite the task on his hand trying to keep the likes of Nunez, Salah and Firmino quiet and while he didn't entirely do that, he managed to showcase why he had so many admirers before he extended his deal with the Dutch champions in the summer.
Timber’s composure on the ball was a sight to behold, with the defender barely phased in situations other players in his position wouldn’t dare try to have an extra touch or play an intricate pass.
His sublime turn to take Fabinho out of a particular passage of play would have been impressive for a tricky winger, let alone a centre-back. With that being said, it was Timber who lost the run of Nunez for Liverpool's second from Andy Robertson's corner.
In another example of his supreme techincal ability, Timber nearly netted a fantastic solo-effort late on which would have been nothing more than a consolation, but he made light work of the Liverpool defenders trying to steal the ball from him.
Another Klopp headache
For all of the positives the Liverpool boss can take from this victory, the injury list was already piling up and Klopp will be concerned by the fact Henderson was forced off with a knock.
The club captain fell to the ground late on in the second-half clutching his knee and was immediately replaced by James Milner.
Liverpool have already endured one midfield injury crisis this season and the Reds boss could really do without having to try and plough through another. In turn, he’ll be hoping Henderson’s reluctance to continue stems purely out of precaution rather than any long-term damage.
Liverpool’s second-placed finish
Napoli’s comfortable win at home to Rangers ensured the Serie A titans ran out winners of the group while the Reds will have to make do with second.
Whatever happened in Amsterdam, if Napoli toppled Rangers it all but secured their place at the top of the group. Liverpool will have to beat the Italians by eight goals to somehow dislodge them on the final match-day of the group stage effort.
As a result, Klopp’s men are more likely to face a tougher test in the round of 16 and may be left to kick themselves with the way they rolled over against the eventual group winners in Naples on match-day one.
Liverpool ’s status as runners up of Group A means they could be drawn against the likes of Spanish giants Real Madrid or face a reunion with Sadio Mane at Bayern Munich as things stand heading into the final group game next week.
