Ajax had to concede a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in the penultimate minute at Anfield on Tuesday evening, due to a header by Joël Matip. The Amsterdammers received a huge reality check after all the accolades of the past week and hardly any of it came to pass in England. The Dutch and British media also saw this, although the latter in particular have mainly critical words for the hosts. One Ajax player is also highly praised.
After an early opening goal by Mohamed Salah, Mohammed Kudus tied the score with a great powder in the left corner. That was completely out of proportion, as Liverpool had been calling the shots since the first whistle. That was also the case after the equalizer, but it took until the 89th minute before the Reds scored the liberating winning goal. “Nevertheless, it is very painful and unnecessary for Alfred Schreuder’s team, which had two great opportunities through Daley Blind and Steven Bergwijn to take the win,” writes Mike Verweij on behalf of The Telegraph.
Anfield breathes a sigh of relief because it is still a hit: Joel Matip does it for Liverpool! ?? Dusan Tadic clears the ball just behind the line: 2-1 ??#ZiggoSport #UCL #LIVAJA pic.twitter.com/wc1zJpzfsD
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) September 13, 2022
Verweij saw Ajax struggle at Anfield, and it General Newspaper shares that observation.
“It immediately turned out that the somewhat battered and errant Liverpool (Liverpool was played 4-1 off the mat by Napoli in the first group match of the Champions League, ed.) air force and endlessly sprinting wing players. Mentally, in a stifling football temple. Tactically, with an opponent who effortlessly creates surpluses and almost turned pressure into art.”
“And technically, because of the individual class of a gifted playmaker like Thiago,” concludes writer Johan Inan. Both the Dutch and British media agree that the return of the Brazilian, who was still a substitute against Napoli, was key for Jürgen Klopp’s team. Thiago helped the team rediscover a bit of the rhythm that was lost during his absence. Sky Sports. “Probably the most influential player on the field,” adds The Telegraph up.
???????????????? ????????????! ?? The man in form releases a grenade in the top corner and puts Ajax on 1-1 ?? ? Now live ?? @ElSierd?? Ziggo Sports Football#ZiggoSport #UCL #LIVAJA pic.twitter.com/dibNXyBJsS
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) September 13, 2022
Yet the English media are critical of Liverpool and remain relatively mild for Ajax. “It was late, it was nasty and Liverpool still have a lot of steps to go,” sneered the Guardian. “They were sloppy in front of goal, with the final pass and were easily put on both feet by Mohammed Kudus’ brilliant equalizer.” The beauty of the Ajax player’s equalizer makes the newspaper draw an unambiguous conclusion: “It was clear why Ajax did not want to sell him to Everton.”
After two group matches, the counter for Ajax is on three points in Group A. The leader of the Eredivisie won convincingly last week against Rangers, which is still playing against Napoli today. As a result, Ajax currently sees itself in third place. The next Champions League match will take place after the international break, on October 4. Then Napoli is the opponent in its own Johan Cruijff ArenA.