Liverpool 2-1 Ajax: Joel Matip heads late winner as Reds down Dutch leaders in Champions League Group A

Joel Matip scored a last-gasp winner as Liverpool gave their season a huge lift with a 2-1 victory over Ajax in a Champions League Group A contest at Anfield where the crowd paid tribute to the late Queen. Jurgen Klopp had spoken of needing a response from his side following the 4-1 defeat at Napoli last week and they made a strong start. Ad Mohamed Salah opened the scoring on 17 minutes when he rifled home after good play by Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota to net his first goal in eight appearances in the competition.

Champions League'We have to respond' — Klopp hopes team meeting will spark improvementYESTERDAY AT 13:29 Diaz and Salah both went close to doubling the lead, but the visitors silenced Anfield just 10 minutes later when Mohammed Kudus finished off a neat move down the left by hammering a strike in off the underside of the crossbar. Liverpool dominated throughout the second half but Jota and Virgil van Dijk failed to make the most of a couple of half chances. Ajax rarely threatened on the counter attack but could have gone in front 14 minutes from the end when Daley Blind flashed a header inches wide of the far post.

The home side continued to push and clinched the points when Matip nodded in a left-wing corner in the 89th minute. The result means Napoli, Liverpool and Ajax all have three points in Group A, although the Italian side can pull clear at the summit if they win their clash at Rangers on Wednesday. Liverpool will not return to action until after the international break following the postponement of their match at Chelsea at the weekend.