Injury-ravaged Liverpool have been gifted a place in the Champions League knockout stages after a 1-0 victory over Dutch side Ajax courtesy of a horrible keeper mistake.
Ajax gloveman Andre Onana misjudged a deep cross from Neco Williams, coming out to claim the ball before leaving it as he expected the ball to float out of play – only for 19-year-old Curtis Jones to arrive at the back post and volley home from close range.
Liverpool had struggled in the first half, with just 39 per cent of possession, before finding form after the break.
And when Williams teed up Jones in the 58th minute, it was the first time in Liverpool history two teenagers had combined for a Champions League goal.
Another youngster – 22-year-old keeper Caoimhin Kelleher – protected the lead with a fantastic stop in the 88th minute, denying substitute striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s bullet header from close range.
Kelleher was handed his Champions League debut – having never played in either the competition or the Premier League, after Brazilian Alisson was added to Liverpool’s long injury list.
At 22 years and eight days old, Kelleher is the youngest Liverpool goalkeeper to start in the Champions League since Scott Carson (19 years, seven months and two days) against Juventus in 2005.
Jurgen Klopp were also without the injured Thiago, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, Xherdan Shaqiri, Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Milner.
The vcitory means Liverpool progress with a game in hand, allowing Jurgen Klopp the luxury of resting key players amid a brutal schedule.
