It was a night for a trio of young Liverpool players to remember as they played a key role in their 1-0 win at home to Ajax in the Champions League.
Curtis Jones, 19, scored the only goal as he nipped in and capitalised on some woeful goalkeeping by Andre Onana as the Reds booked their place in the last-16.
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The assist came from the left boot of 19-year-old full-back Neco Williams, while Caoimhin Kelleher, 22, pulled off a stunning late save to deny Klaas Jan Huntelaar, a stop the injured Alisson Becker would be more than proud of.
Midfielder Jones could have had three, going close twice in the opening five minutes, including a lovely curling strike which cannoned off the post.
Ajax hit the post themselves through David Neres, while former Everton midfielder Davy Klaasen failed to make the most of two decent headed chances.
Onana somewhat made up for his early error by saving Roberto Firmino’s effort but Kelleher pulled off an even better save as he denied the Dutch side a late equaliser – Kelleher receiving the classic Jurgen Klopp hug as the final whistle went.
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Alisson won fans over with a stunning late stop against Napoli two seasons ago and while less was riding on this match, Kelleher’s save could be a springboard towards his future success at the club.
He may even play at the weekend with the Brazilian expected to be out of the clash against Wolves with a hamstring strain and Adrian struggling when he’s been playing this term.
The Irishman also made decent saves to deny Noussair Mazraoui from distance in the first half while also being equal to Antony dos Santos’s second-half strike – Neres hitting the post on the rebound.
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Kelleher wouldn’t have been able to do much about Klaasen’s bullet header in the second half but the midfielder’s effort wasn’t on target. Klaasen also failed to connect with a cross from the left in the first half.
But this was a night where Liverpool had the better chances, with Jones forcing Onana into an early save. Moments later, Jones had Onana beaten all ends up but the ball didn’t quite curl in enough as it struck the woodwork.
But Jones would get on the scoresheet just shy of the hour as Onana horribly misjudged the flight of a cross from the right by Williams and the Liverpool No.17 tapped in with the outside of his right foot from an acute angle.
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Jones thanked Wales international Williams who cut a far more composed figure, having struggled hugely in the defeat to Atalanta last week as well as the draw at Brighton last weekend.
The six-time European champions should have put the game to bed with chances for Salah and Firmino and their lack of ruthlessness nearly cost them as Huntelaar got on the end of Antony’s cross but the Cork-born Kelleher had other ideas.
Liverpool qualify as Group D winners following Atalanta’s surprise draw to Midtjylland.
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