Liverpool's Joel Matip scores the late winner in Liverpool's 2-1 Champions League victory against Ajax at Anfield on September 13, 2022. PA
Liverpool's Joel Matip scores the late winner in Liverpool's 2-1 Champions League victory against Ajax at Anfield on September 13, 2022. PA
Joel Matip celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates. Action Images
Joel Matip celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates. Action Images
Liverpool's Joel Matip celebrates. PA
Liverpool's Joel Matip celebrates. PA
Soccer Football - Champions League - Group A - Liverpool v Ajax Amsterdam - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - September 13, 2022 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp reacts as Kostas Tsimikas and Thiago Alcantara look on after the match REUTERS / Craig Brough
Soccer Football - Champions League - Group A - Liverpool v Ajax Amsterdam - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - September 13, 2022 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp reacts as Kostas Tsimikas and Thiago Alcantara look on after the match REUTERS / Craig Brough
Mohamed Salah celebrates after giving Liverpool the lead. EPA
Mohamed Salah celebrates after giving Liverpool the lead. EPA
Mohamed Salah scores the opening goal. EPA
Mohamed Salah scores the opening goal. EPA
Ajax's Mohammed Kudus levels at 1-1. AP
Ajax's Mohammed Kudus levels at 1-1. AP
Mohammed Kudus celebrates scoring. Action Images
Mohammed Kudus celebrates scoring. Action Images
Remko Pasveer of Ajax celebrates after Mohammed Kudus's goal. Getty
Remko Pasveer of Ajax celebrates after Mohammed Kudus's goal. Getty
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on the touchline. PA
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on the touchline. PA

Sport

Football

Jurgen Klopp pleased with Liverpool response to latest 'setback' in win over Ajax

Reds claim late 2-1 win at Anfield to earn first Champions League points after 'horror show' at Napoli

Jon Turner

September 14, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Jurgen Klopp said he was pleased with how his Liverpool team responded to their latest "setback" after Joel Matip's late goal earned the Reds a crucial 2-1 victory over Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Liverpool, aiming to bounce back from what Klopp described as a "horror show" defeat at Napoli in their first Group A match, took a deserved lead through Mohamed Salah in the 17th minute. But their advantage lasted just 10 minutes when Mohammed Kudus scored a stunner to level.

Ajax had the chance to steal the victory but Daley Blind missed a great chance late in the game, before Matip headed home the winner in the 89th minute.

It was a much-needed win for Liverpool amid an inconsistent start to the season, which began with Premier League draws against Fulham and Crystal Palace, and defeat at rivals Manchester United before a record-equalling 9-0 rout of Bournemouth and a narrow victory over Newcastle United.

Those back-to-back wins failed to ignite the Reds, though, and they played out a goalless draw at Everton in the Merseyside derby followed by the 4-1 loss in Naples.

"I think everybody could see that we understood and that we had to put a completely different shift into the game," Klopp told BT Sport. "The boys did that. We played a lot of good stuff against a hard fighting opposition. Scored the first goal and should’ve scored more goals, from set pieces especially.

"I'm not sure it was their first attack, but Ajax didn’t have a lot. That’s how it is in our situation, anything can happen, but it was an incredible strike from Kudus.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp salutes the crowd after the Champions League win over Ajax. Reuters
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp salutes the crowd after the Champions League win over Ajax. Reuters

"It’s like another test. Everybody is hoping you go in the right direction and then you get another setback. You could see the impact of that. The pressing before the goal was much better than after the goal. Only a yard or two but if we press, we have to do it right."

The win moves Liverpool second in Group A, level on points with first-placed Napoli and Ajax in third, although Napoli's match against Rangers was postponed.

With the Premier League trip to Chelsea on Sunday postponed due to a lack of police resources in the wake of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Liverpool are not back in action until October 1 with a home match against Brighton & Hove Albion.

"Nothing is over. It is a first step, a very important step," Klopp said. "Now we have a strange break, pretty long. Brighton is waiting."

Liverpool v Ajax player ratings

LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 6. The Brazilian did not have much to do but his pass to Diaz started the move that led to the opening goal. He had no chance with Ajax’s equaliser. PA
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 6. The Brazilian did not have much to do but his pass to Diaz started the move that led to the opening goal. He had no chance with Ajax’s equaliser. PA
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 5. The 23-year-old was caught ball-watching for Ajax’s goal. His distribution was good but he left too much space behind him. Reuters
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 5. The 23-year-old was caught ball-watching for Ajax’s goal. His distribution was good but he left too much space behind him. Reuters
Joel Matip - 7. The 31-year-old scored the winning goal and was a threat when stepping out from the back. He was solid defensively. EPA
Joel Matip - 7. The 31-year-old scored the winning goal and was a threat when stepping out from the back. He was solid defensively. EPA
Virgil van Dijk - 6. The Dutchman might have been closer to Kudus when the striker scored but he was generally secure. He presented a threat in the opposition box. Reuters
Virgil van Dijk - 6. The Dutchman might have been closer to Kudus when the striker scored but he was generally secure. He presented a threat in the opposition box. Reuters
Kostas Tsimikas - 6. The Greek’s corner created the winning goal but he laboured a little going forward. He kept a tight rein on Tadic. Getty
Kostas Tsimikas - 6. The Greek’s corner created the winning goal but he laboured a little going forward. He kept a tight rein on Tadic. Getty
Harvey Elliott - 5. The 19-year-old worked hard but found it difficult to make an impact on proceedings. He was replaced by Firmino in the 66th minute. AP
Harvey Elliott - 5. The 19-year-old worked hard but found it difficult to make an impact on proceedings. He was replaced by Firmino in the 66th minute. AP
Fabinho - 5. The Brazilian was frequently over-run in the midfield and struggled to impose himself on the game. His passing could have been better. AP
Fabinho - 5. The Brazilian was frequently over-run in the midfield and struggled to impose himself on the game. His passing could have been better. AP
Thiago Alcantara - 7. The midfield was more coherent for the 31-year-old’s presence. His distribution was effective and the team was more solid when he dropped deep to support Fabinho. AFP
Thiago Alcantara - 7. The midfield was more coherent for the 31-year-old’s presence. His distribution was effective and the team was more solid when he dropped deep to support Fabinho. AFP
Mohamed Salah - 7. The Egyptian took his goal with aplomb and was a constant source of danger. His movement was better than in recent matches. EPA
Mohamed Salah - 7. The Egyptian took his goal with aplomb and was a constant source of danger. His movement was better than in recent matches. EPA
Diogo Jota - 7. The Portuguese set up Salah’s goal and was relentless in putting pressure on the defence. He was showing signs of tiredness when taken off for Nunez in the 66th minute. AP
Diogo Jota - 7. The Portuguese set up Salah’s goal and was relentless in putting pressure on the defence. He was showing signs of tiredness when taken off for Nunez in the 66th minute. AP
Luis Diaz - 6. The Colombian pressured defenders and was eager to get on the ball but his end product was disappointing. He made way for Milner in stoppage time. Getty
Luis Diaz - 6. The Colombian pressured defenders and was eager to get on the ball but his end product was disappointing. He made way for Milner in stoppage time. Getty
Roberto Firmino (Elliot 66') - 5. The Brazilian linked play well without creating much. He was industrious but not incisive. AP
Roberto Firmino (Elliot 66') - 5. The Brazilian linked play well without creating much. He was industrious but not incisive. AP
Darwin Nunez (Jota 66') - 6. The Uruguayan struggled to control the ball. He pulled a shot wide and was unlucky to see his cross tipped away by Pasveer before Diaz could get on the end of it. AFP
Darwin Nunez (Jota 66') - 6. The Uruguayan struggled to control the ball. He pulled a shot wide and was unlucky to see his cross tipped away by Pasveer before Diaz could get on the end of it. AFP
James Milner (Diaz 90'+2) - N/R. The 36-year-old entered the game in stoppage time and helped see the game out. AP
James Milner (Diaz 90'+2) - N/R. The 36-year-old entered the game in stoppage time and helped see the game out. AP
Stefan Bajcetic (Thiago 90'+4) - N/R. The 17-year-old was given his Champions League debut in stoppage time and seemed to enjoy the brief experience. AFP
Stefan Bajcetic (Thiago 90'+4) - N/R. The 17-year-old was given his Champions League debut in stoppage time and seemed to enjoy the brief experience. AFP
AJAX RATINGS: Remko Pasveer - 5. The 38-year-old had no chance with either goal but he tipped Nunez’s cross away from the danger zone. His distribution was poor, though. Getty
AJAX RATINGS: Remko Pasveer - 5. The 38-year-old had no chance with either goal but he tipped Nunez’s cross away from the danger zone. His distribution was poor, though. Getty
Devyne Rensch - 6. The 19-year-old ensured Diaz was kept under wraps and can be happy with his night’s work. He was tiring when replaced by Sanchez with 22 minutes to go. Getty
Devyne Rensch - 6. The 19-year-old ensured Diaz was kept under wraps and can be happy with his night’s work. He was tiring when replaced by Sanchez with 22 minutes to go. Getty
Jurrien Timber - 4. The 21-year-old was in the vicinity of Matip for Liverpool’s winner but was bullied out of the way. His defending was slapdash and his passing was weak. Getty
Jurrien Timber - 4. The 21-year-old was in the vicinity of Matip for Liverpool’s winner but was bullied out of the way. His defending was slapdash and his passing was weak. Getty
Calvin Bassey - 5. The 22-year-old was outjumped by Matip before the winning goal. Until then he had played well, making a series of tackles and interceptions. Getty
Calvin Bassey - 5. The 22-year-old was outjumped by Matip before the winning goal. Until then he had played well, making a series of tackles and interceptions. Getty
Daley Blind - 4. The 32-year-old could not cope with Salah’s speed. He missed a fine headed chance to give his side the lead in the second half. AP
Daley Blind - 4. The 32-year-old could not cope with Salah’s speed. He missed a fine headed chance to give his side the lead in the second half. AP
Edson Alvarez - 4. The Mexican was deployed to help out the defence but could not contain Jota. He was often caught in no-man’s land. EPA
Edson Alvarez - 4. The Mexican was deployed to help out the defence but could not contain Jota. He was often caught in no-man’s land. EPA
Kenneth Taylor - 4. The 20-year-old was busy but ineffective. He pressed hard but was unable to create much when on the ball. He made way for Grillitsch with 10 minutes to go. AP
Kenneth Taylor - 4. The 20-year-old was busy but ineffective. He pressed hard but was unable to create much when on the ball. He made way for Grillitsch with 10 minutes to go. AP
Dusan Tadic - 3. The Serb’s biggest contribution was a splendid cross that Blind wasted. Otherwise it was a deeply disappointing night. AP
Dusan Tadic - 3. The Serb’s biggest contribution was a splendid cross that Blind wasted. Otherwise it was a deeply disappointing night. AP
Steven Berghuis - 6. The 30-year-old was bright and his running from deep caused consternation for the defence. His cross set up the equalising goal. PA
Steven Berghuis - 6. The 30-year-old was bright and his running from deep caused consternation for the defence. His cross set up the equalising goal. PA
Steven Bergwijn - 4. The 24-year-old laboured and found it hard to get possession. He was wise enough to get out of the way and let Kudus shoot for Ajax’s goal. AP
Steven Bergwijn - 4. The 24-year-old laboured and found it hard to get possession. He was wise enough to get out of the way and let Kudus shoot for Ajax’s goal. AP
Mohammed Kudus - 6. The Ghanaian scored a scorcher of a goal. He found the going tough against Van Dijk and often lacked support. Brobbey came on for him with four minutes to go. AP
Mohammed Kudus - 6. The Ghanaian scored a scorcher of a goal. He found the going tough against Van Dijk and often lacked support. Brobbey came on for him with four minutes to go. AP
Jorge Sanchez (Rensch 68') - 6. The Mexican came on to reinforce the back line and was effective in his work. AP
Jorge Sanchez (Rensch 68') - 6. The Mexican came on to reinforce the back line and was effective in his work. AP
Florian Grillitsch (Taylor 80') - N/R. The Austrian never quite got to the pace of the game. EPA
Florian Grillitsch (Taylor 80') - N/R. The Austrian never quite got to the pace of the game. EPA
Brian Brobbey (Kudus 86') - N/R. There was nothing he could do to affect the game. Reuters
Brian Brobbey (Kudus 86') - N/R. There was nothing he could do to affect the game. Reuters
Key features of new policy

Pupils to learn coding and other vocational skills from Grade 6

Exams to test critical thinking and application of knowledge

A new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance, Assessment, Review and Analysis for Holistic Development) will form the standard for schools

Schools to implement online system to encouraging transparency and accountability

WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Saudi National Day
RESULT

Aston Villa 1
Samatta (41')
Manchester City 2
Aguero (20')
Rodri (30')

THE SPECS – Honda CR-V Touring AWD

Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder

Power: 184hp at 6,400rpm

Torque: 244Nm at 3,900rpm

Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

0-100kmh in 9.4 seconds

Top speed: 202kmh

Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km

Price: From Dh122,900

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
UAE Premiership

Results

Dubai Exiles 24-28 Jebel Ali Dragons
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 43-27 Dubai Hurricanes

Final
Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons, Friday, March 29, 5pm at The Sevens, Dubai

The smuggler

Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple. 
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.

Khouli conviction

Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.

For sale

A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.

- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico

- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000

- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950

Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha

Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar

Director: Neeraj Pandey

Rating: 2.5/5

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20synchronous%20electric%20motors%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E660hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C100Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E488km-560km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh850%2C000%20(estimate)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOctober%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
On Women's Day
Water waste

In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.

Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.

A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.

The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.

While you're here
Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

More on animal trafficking
UAE currency
While you're here
New UK refugee system

 

  • A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
  • Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
  • A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
  • To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
  • Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
  • Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
INDIA SQUAD

Rohit Sharma (captain), Shikhar Dhawan (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik (wicketkeeper), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Vijay Shankar, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammad Siraj and Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper)

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

Men's football draw

Group A: UAE, Spain, South Africa, Jamaica

Group B: Bangladesh, Serbia, Korea

Group C: Bharat, Denmark, Kenya, USA

Group D: Oman, Austria, Rwanda

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%20turbocharged%204-cyl%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E300bhp%20(GT)%20330bhp%20(Modena)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E450Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDh299%2C000%20(GT)%2C%20Dh369%2C000%20(Modena)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

Updated: September 14, 2022, 6:30 AM
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