Joel Matip saves Liverpool just before the final whistle
No longer thought possible: Liverpool players celebrate Joel Matip
Quelle: Liverpool FC via Getty Images/Andrew Powell
Liverpool have won their first Champions League game. A week after the Napoli debacle, Jürgen Klopp’s team beat Ajax Amsterdam. However, the Reds had to tremble for a long time before Joel Matip finally made the decision.
Jürgen Klopp described the game on matchday 1 of the Champions League as a “horror show”, the worst game of his entire tenure. Compensation was therefore announced for the professionals at Liverpool FC, and they succeeded, albeit late. Klopp got the desired reaction from his team.
Former Schalke Bundesliga professional Joël Matip saved Liverpool FC and its German coach from a false start in the Champions League. Against Ajax Amsterdam, the defender made it 2-1 (1-1) with a header in the 89th minute on Tuesday. At the start, the Reds had failed at SSC Napoli with 1: 4.
Anfield beside himself: Joel Matip celebrates the late 2-1 draw against Ajax with the fans
Quelle: Liverpool FC via Getty Images/Andrew Powell
Bruges creates next surprise
Before kick-off, there was exceptionally not the Champions League anthem on Anfield Road, but a minute’s silence in honor of the late Queen Elizabeth II. In the game, Liverpool’s superstar Mohamed Salah ensured the 1-0 lead (17th minute). Mohammed Kudus equalized with a brilliant shot for the Dutch champion to make it 1-1 (27th). Both teams then had chances, Diogo Jota missed the best one for Liverpool. However, the opponent had the best in the second round. Daley Blind missed for Ajax with a header (75th).
However, the final phase belonged to the home side again. Substitute Darwin missed the decision (83′, 85′) as did Salah, whose shot hit the crossbar (88′). Then Matip scored just before the end.
Club Brugge managed their second upset in Group B after beating Bayer Leverkusen 1-0. The Belgian title holder even won 4-0 (1-0) at FC Porto and leads the table with six points. The Spaniard Ferran Jutglà (15th penalty), Kamal Sowah (47th), Andreas Skov Olsen (52nd) and 17-year-old Antonio Nusa (89th) scored in Porto’s constant rain. The hosts remain without points.
