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Critics have claimed Liverpool will struggle without Van Dijk, but Brazilian midfielder Fabinho filled in impressively alongside Joe Gomez at the heart of the defence
Liverpools English defender Joe Gomez (R) vies for the ball with Ajaxs Serbian forward Dusan Tadic (2R) during the UEFA Champions League Group D first-leg football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Liverpool FC at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam. Pic/
Backs to the wall
Their makeshift defence was easily carved open when Quincy Promes advanced down the left and found Dusan Tadic, who set up Ryan Gravenberch for a fierce strike that flashed just wide. There was another major scare moments later as David Neres- pass found the unmarked Promes six yards from goal, but he shot straight at Adrian to let Liverpool off the hook. Making the most of that escape, Liverpool took the lead in bizarre fashion in the 35th minute. Mane eluded Perr Schuurs as he broke into the Ajax area but when the Senegal forward went to shoot, he stubbed his foot into the turf, sending a miscued effort towards Tagliafico, who lost his balance and prodded the ball into his own net under no pressure.
Klopp has been fostering a siege mentality among his players since the Everton game and their backs to the wall spirit was on full display when Fabinho raced back to clear Tadic-s lob off the line with a superb overhead kick. Van Dijk couldn-t have done it better himself, but while Fabinho was impressing, Ajax still carried a threat. Taking aim from the edge of the area, Davy Klaassen smashed a fierce strike off the far post in the first minute of the second half. Ajax went close again when Noussair Mazraoui took a Neres cutback and forced Adrian into a fine save. Klopp responded to their lethargy by taking off Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Mane, with the latter needing ice on his right leg as he sat on the bench. Takumi Minamino, one of Klopp-s substitutes, nearly had an instant impact when his shot was almost spilled into the net by Andre Onana. Jurgen Ekkelenkamp almost snatched a late equaliser after a mistake from Adrian, but Liverpool held their nerve to provide a morale-boosting start to life without Van Dijk.
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