Champions League: Why Liverpool beat Ajax 2-1 – Klopp

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Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp has hailed his players’ character after a 2-1 win over Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The Reds had lost their first group game 4-2 at Napoli.

Following that result in Naples, Klopp demanded a response from his players.

Mohamed Salah’s goal was cancelled out by Mohammed Kudus, before Joel Matip headed in a late winner.

Klopp said: “I think if we put the two games next to each other you would not recognise it as the same squad. Braver, more ready, everything was better.

“I think the story of the game is kind of typical. We played a lot of good stuff against a strong side, full of confidence, absolutely convinced by how they play, and we caused them a lot of problems.

“We are 1-0 up and we concede with the first chance of the opponent. That is what I mean by typical. A proper setback. The reaction was OK [but] the pressing was not as convincing as before.

“That is what we tried to do in the second half. It was clear we had to keep trying to play football. We did that really well.

“Sometimes you have to wait a bit longer. It was a set-piece but I don’t think that was a surprise. The face of Joel showed exactly how we all felt.”