Joel Matip scored a crucial goal in the 89th minute to help Liverpool secure a 2-1 win over Ajax at Anfield on early Wednesday. Star striker Mohamed Salah scored the winner’s opening goal while Mohamed Kudus equalised it for Ajax in first half.
This win came as a huge boost for Jurgen Klopp’s men after repeated setbacks in recent times. The red warriors had only won two of their opening seven games of the season. They even suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss against Napoli in game one.
A big Joel goal 👊 pic.twitter.com/PA9EZlKnED
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 14, 2022
However, last season’s Champions League finalists pounded hard and hit many chances, including one from Mohamed Salah. Meanwhile, the victory takes Liverpool on three points, along with Ajax and Napoli.
Liverpool coach is a happy man
“If you put the two games next to each other, I don’t think you recognise the same squad,” Klopp said of his side’s improvement from six days ago in southern Italy, where they lost by a huge margin. The coach called the defeat against Napoli last week, the worst performance of his nearly seven years in charge.
Last night's @ChampionsLeague Player of the Match! 👏 pic.twitter.com/IRfUpvSpuz
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 14, 2022
“It’s the first step, but nothing more,” added Klopp. Meanwhile, the side will not be in action for two and a half weeks. This is because they postponed their match against Chelsea due to policing pressures amidst Queen’s funerals.
Bayern Munich down Barcelona
Earlier, Barcelona’s unbeaten run in the season ended as they endured a 2-0 loss against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. A five-minute sequence in the second half proved to be the game changer as Barca fumbled against a disciplined Bayern unit.
In the second half, Lucas Hernandez scored the opening goal after getting away from Marcos Alonso. After five minutes, they doubled the lead when Leroy Sane ran through the Barca defence to pass the ball into the net in style.
Respect @FCBarcelona! 🤝 pic.twitter.com/k3rADLcPOW
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) September 13, 2022
It could have been 2-1 when Lewandowski found Pedri all alone, but the Spaniard’s chip over the keeper went over the past. Barca continued to attack, but the goal was missing, and in the end, surrendered their first defeat of the season.
What A Night! #inSané @FCBayern pic.twitter.com/PeHKrspS03
— Leroy Sané (@leroy_sane) September 13, 2022
Barça nearly made it 2-1 when Lewandowski found Pedri all alone in front of Neuer, but the Spaniard’s chip over the keeper somehow hit the post and went out. The Barça unit continued to attack and look to get back in the game, but it just wasn’t their night and the Blaugrana could not find the back of the net.
