AJAX RATINGS: Andre Onana - 5: Had two lucky escapes in the second half, once when he failed to claim a corner against Fabinho and again when charging upfield to contest a ball with Jota. No chance with the goal. AP
AJAX RATINGS: Andre Onana - 5: Had two lucky escapes in the second half, once when he failed to claim a corner against Fabinho and again when charging upfield to contest a ball with Jota. No chance with the goal. AP
Noussair Mazraoui - 4: Not the best night for the right back. Robertson and Mane had plenty of success down his wing. Wasteful in possession. PA
Noussair Mazraoui - 4: Not the best night for the right back. Robertson and Mane had plenty of success down his wing. Wasteful in possession. PA
Perr Schuurs - 6: Nervous against Mane but made the striker work hard. Confident on the ball when stepping out of defence. Made way for Traore in 84th minute. PA
Perr Schuurs - 6: Nervous against Mane but made the striker work hard. Confident on the ball when stepping out of defence. Made way for Traore in 84th minute. PA
Lisandro Martinez - 6: Competent in defence and supplied some useful crosses when Ajax were chasing the game in the second half. AFP
Lisandro Martinez - 6: Competent in defence and supplied some useful crosses when Ajax were chasing the game in the second half. AFP
Nicolas Tagliafico - 4: Was completely unbalanced when he scored the bizarre own goal that separated the teams. Never exerted his authority on the game. AFP
Nicolas Tagliafico - 4: Was completely unbalanced when he scored the bizarre own goal that separated the teams. Never exerted his authority on the game. AFP
Davy Klaassen - 7: Composed and influential. Hit the post with a powerful shot. The former Everton man had a good night until he ran out of energy and was substituted after 74 minutes. EPA
Davy Klaassen - 7: Composed and influential. Hit the post with a powerful shot. The former Everton man had a good night until he ran out of energy and was substituted after 74 minutes. EPA
Daley Blind - 7: Used all of his experience to help counter Liverpool’s threat. Pushed into midfield and was an influential presence. Sacrificed for Huntelaar with six minutes left. PA
Daley Blind - 7: Used all of his experience to help counter Liverpool’s threat. Pushed into midfield and was an influential presence. Sacrificed for Huntelaar with six minutes left. PA
Ryan Gravenberch - 5: Was allowed plenty of space and started well but the 18-year-old’s lack of experience told as the game went on. AFP
Ryan Gravenberch - 5: Was allowed plenty of space and started well but the 18-year-old’s lack of experience told as the game went on. AFP
David Neres – 6: Faded after a bright start but supplied Promes with Ajax’s best chance of the match. Replaced by Labyad after 74 minutes. PA
David Neres – 6: Faded after a bright start but supplied Promes with Ajax’s best chance of the match. Replaced by Labyad after 74 minutes. PA
Dusan Tadic - 6: Worked the channel between Gomez and Robertson effectively and harried the Liverpool defence. Drifted out of the game in the second period. PA
Dusan Tadic - 6: Worked the channel between Gomez and Robertson effectively and harried the Liverpool defence. Drifted out of the game in the second period. PA
Mohammed Kudus - 4: Sustained an ankle injury in the early stages during a challenge with Fabinho and was replaced by Promes after nine minutes. A big loss for Ajax. EPA
Mohammed Kudus - 4: Sustained an ankle injury in the early stages during a challenge with Fabinho and was replaced by Promes after nine minutes. A big loss for Ajax. EPA
SUBS: Quincy Promes - 4: Off the bench earlier that expected when Kudus was injured in the ninth minute. Should have opened the scoring moments before Liverpool took the lead. Disappointing effort. Getty
SUBS: Quincy Promes - 4: Off the bench earlier that expected when Kudus was injured in the ninth minute. Should have opened the scoring moments before Liverpool took the lead. Disappointing effort. Getty
Jurgen Ekkelenkamp – 4: On for Klassen after 74 minutes but had little impact. Lifted an awkward bouncing ball over the bar in the final minute after Adrian’s wayward punch. AP
Jurgen Ekkelenkamp – 4: On for Klassen after 74 minutes but had little impact. Lifted an awkward bouncing ball over the bar in the final minute after Adrian’s wayward punch. AP
Zakaria Labyad - 4: Part of a double substitution with 16 minutes left, replacing Neres. A largely anonymous effort as the anticipated Ajax charge failed to materialise. AP
Zakaria Labyad - 4: Part of a double substitution with 16 minutes left, replacing Neres. A largely anonymous effort as the anticipated Ajax charge failed to materialise. AP
Lassina Traoré - 4: Sent on for Schuurs with six minutes left as Ajax became increasingly desperate. Had one difficult headed chance. AP
Lassina Traoré - 4: Sent on for Schuurs with six minutes left as Ajax became increasingly desperate. Had one difficult headed chance. AP
Klaas Jan Huntelaar - 4: The 37-year-old produced an unsatisfying six-minute cameo when coming on for Blind. Age has caught up with this once-prolific goalscorer. AP
Klaas Jan Huntelaar - 4: The 37-year-old produced an unsatisfying six-minute cameo when coming on for Blind. Age has caught up with this once-prolific goalscorer. AP
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Adrian - 5: Early mix up with Gomez set the uncertain tone in the Liverpool penalty area. Then allowed Tadic to charge down a clearance. Nervous performance but great reaction save from Promes. Getty
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Adrian - 5: Early mix up with Gomez set the uncertain tone in the Liverpool penalty area. Then allowed Tadic to charge down a clearance. Nervous performance but great reaction save from Promes. Getty
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 5: Did not produce his usual vibrancy going forward and – understandably - seemed preoccupied with his defensive duties. AFP
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 5: Did not produce his usual vibrancy going forward and – understandably - seemed preoccupied with his defensive duties. AFP
Joe Gomez – 5: Seemed to lack a little confidence. Not the worst of his recent performances but needs to improve his strength and anticipation. PA
Joe Gomez – 5: Seemed to lack a little confidence. Not the worst of his recent performances but needs to improve his strength and anticipation. PA
Fabinho - 8: Tidied up a number of awkward situations in the penalty box. Brilliant clearance off the line capped an assured display. AP
Fabinho - 8: Tidied up a number of awkward situations in the penalty box. Brilliant clearance off the line capped an assured display. AP
Andrew Robertson - 7: Plenty of powerful forward runs and dangerous with the ball at his feet. A constant worry for the Ajax defence. EPA
Andrew Robertson - 7: Plenty of powerful forward runs and dangerous with the ball at his feet. A constant worry for the Ajax defence. EPA
James Milner - 5: Worked hard but frequently off the pace of the game. Booked for a cynical foul on Neres to stop a counter attack. Reuters
James Milner - 5: Worked hard but frequently off the pace of the game. Booked for a cynical foul on Neres to stop a counter attack. Reuters
Georginio Wijnaldum - 5: Occasionally wasteful in possession but plugged the gaps when Ajax had the ball. Was set up with a chance by Jota but lacked composure. PA
Georginio Wijnaldum - 5: Occasionally wasteful in possession but plugged the gaps when Ajax had the ball. Was set up with a chance by Jota but lacked composure. PA
Curtis Jones – 5: It was always going to be a big task for the 19-year-old to influence a game of this magnitude. No surprise when he was replaced by Henderson after half time. PA
Curtis Jones – 5: It was always going to be a big task for the 19-year-old to influence a game of this magnitude. No surprise when he was replaced by Henderson after half time. PA
Mohamed Salah - 5: Had a couple of opportunities but failed to make the most of them. A constant menace to the defence and Ajax were relieved when he was taken off on the hour. PA
Mohamed Salah - 5: Had a couple of opportunities but failed to make the most of them. A constant menace to the defence and Ajax were relieved when he was taken off on the hour. PA
Roberto Firmino - 4: Things are not quite working for the Brazilian at the moment. Lots of effort but looks short of sharpness and confidence. PA
Roberto Firmino - 4: Things are not quite working for the Brazilian at the moment. Lots of effort but looks short of sharpness and confidence. PA
Sadio Mane - 6: The liveliest of Liverpool’s attackers. In a splendid run of form and has the knack of making things happen. His miskick led to the freak goal. EPA
Sadio Mane - 6: The liveliest of Liverpool’s attackers. In a splendid run of form and has the knack of making things happen. His miskick led to the freak goal. EPA
SUBS: Jordan Henderson – 6: Replaced Jones for the second half. His industry and experience helped the team see out the victory. EPA
SUBS: Jordan Henderson – 6: Replaced Jones for the second half. His industry and experience helped the team see out the victory. EPA
Diogo Jota - 7: On for Firmino in Jurgen Klopp’s strange triple substitution on the hour. Not afraid to run at the defence. Superb ball to Wijnaldum late on to create a chance for the Dutchman. AP
Diogo Jota - 7: On for Firmino in Jurgen Klopp’s strange triple substitution on the hour. Not afraid to run at the defence. Superb ball to Wijnaldum late on to create a chance for the Dutchman. AP
Xherdan Shaqiri - 6: Given half an hour of action when Salah was withdrawn. Buzzed around and slipped a nice pass to Minamino to allow the Japanese to shoot in the box. AP
Xherdan Shaqiri - 6: Given half an hour of action when Salah was withdrawn. Buzzed around and slipped a nice pass to Minamino to allow the Japanese to shoot in the box. AP
Takumi Minamino - 6: Took Mane’s place when the entire front unit was replaced after 60 minutes. Showed positive signs and tested Onana with a shot. AP
Takumi Minamino - 6: Took Mane’s place when the entire front unit was replaced after 60 minutes. Showed positive signs and tested Onana with a shot. AP
Rhys Williams - 4: Given four minutes of stoppage time as Milner’s legs faded. Good experience for the 19-year-old who was on loan at Kidderminster Harriers last season. Getty
Rhys Williams - 4: Given four minutes of stoppage time as Milner’s legs faded. Good experience for the 19-year-old who was on loan at Kidderminster Harriers last season. Getty

Football

Daley Blind 7; Mohamed Salah 5, Roberto Firmino 4, Fabinho 8: Ajax v Liverpool player ratings

Reds hold their nerve for an important victory in Holland

Tony Evans

October 22, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was delighted with how his untested centre-back pairing of Fabinho and Joe Gomez performed in the 1-0 win over Ajax in their Champions League opener.

A Nicolas Tagliafico 35th-minute own goal decided an untidy match in Amsterdam as only the Reds' second clean sheet in 13 European games as the away team on an opponent's ground proved decisive.

Midfielder Fabinho, in particular, was exceptional filling the hole left by Virgil Van Dijk's long-term knee injury - hooking a Dusan Tadic lob off the goalline to keep the score at 1-0 - but he also had a positive influence on Gomez alongside him.

"Good but even Fabinho can play better," Klopp said on the performance of the Brazil international, whose partnership with Gomez was the 35th centre-back pairing used by the German.

"This combination had not played together so they need to get used to each other, the verbal commands, what you need to say to the midfield.

"Fabinho can play the position, he likes playing it actually. If I asked him to play right-back I don't think he would enjoy it as much.

"I'm not surprised Fabinho plays in the position, otherwise I would have thought about a different solution.

"It was a good performance but there is a lot to improve, that is good. It was absolutely good tonight and we'd like it to carry on.

"We are not dumb enough to think we didn't need a bit of luck as Fabinho needed to make a proper stretch to get that ball from the line and they hit the post.

"A clean sheet is one information but we could have done better. I don't care in the moment as we wanted to win the game and we have done that."

Klopp played down concerns about more injury worries, insisting Sadio Mane had been carrying a dead leg for a couple of days and that was the reason he had an ice pack on after being substituted.

Youngster Curtis Jones' full Champions League debut lasted just 45 minutes but that was because Jordan Henderson was not fit enough to play more than half a game.

"It was not the most easy-on-the-eye performance from both teams, both teams can play much better football," Klopp added.

"Pretty much the medical department made the line-up - and then you have to win the game and that is what the boys did and I think it was pretty much deserved.

"They had their moments but apart from that we were pretty dominant on a difficult pitch.

"It will not be on the front page of our history book but it is an important moment and I am pleased with that."

To see how each player rated, simply swipe through the picture gallery above or click on the arrows.

THREE
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Nayla%20Al%20Khaja%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Jefferson%20Hall%2C%20Faten%20Ahmed%2C%20Noura%20Alabed%2C%20Saud%20Alzarooni%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The%C2%A0specs%20
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E6-cylinder%2C%204.8-litre%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E5-speed%20automatic%20and%20manual%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E280%20brake%20horsepower%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E451Nm%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh153%2C00%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mane points for safe home colouring
  • Natural and grey hair takes colour differently than chemically treated hair
  • Taking hair from a dark to a light colour should involve a slow transition through warmer stages of colour
  • When choosing a colour (especially a lighter tone), allow for a natural lift of warmth
  • Most modern hair colours are technique-based, in that they require a confident hand and taught skills
  • If you decide to be brave and go for it, seek professional advice and use a semi-permanent colour
MATCH SCHEDULE

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tuesday, April 24 (10.45pm)
Liverpool v Roma

Wednesday, April 25
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid (10.45pm)

Europa League semi-final, first leg
Thursday, April 26
Arsenal v Atletico Madrid (11.05pm)
Marseille v Salzburg (11.05pm)

Towering concerns
Other ways to buy used products in the UAE

UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.

Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.

Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.

For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.

Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.

At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.

Pakistan v New Zealand Test series

Pakistan: Sarfraz (c), Hafeez, Imam, Azhar, Sohail, Shafiq, Azam, Saad, Yasir, Asif, Abbas, Hassan, Afridi, Ashraf, Hamza

New Zealand: Williamson (c), Blundell, Boult, De Grandhomme, Henry, Latham, Nicholls, Ajaz, Raval, Sodhi, Somerville, Southee, Taylor, Wagner

Umpires: Bruce Oxerford (AUS) and Ian Gould (ENG); TV umpire: Paul Reiffel (AUS); Match referee: David Boon (AUS)

Tickets and schedule: Entry is free for all spectators. Gates open at 9am. Play commences at 10am

The specs

Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder

Transmission: 7-speed auto

0-100kmh 2.3 seconds

0-200kmh 5.5 seconds

0-300kmh 11.6 seconds

Power: 1500hp

Torque: 1600Nm

Price: Dh13,400,000

On sale: now

More from Con Coughlin
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

Story of 2017-18 so far and schedule to come

Roll of Honour

Who has won what so far in the West Asia rugby season?

 

Western Clubs Champions League

Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

Runners up: Bahrain

 

Dubai Rugby Sevens

Winners: Dubai Exiles

Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons

 

West Asia Premiership

Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons

Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

 

UAE Premiership Cup

Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

Runners up: Dubai Exiles

 

Fixtures

Friday

West Asia Cup final

5pm, Bahrain (6pm UAE time), Bahrain v Dubai Exiles

 

West Asia Trophy final

3pm, The Sevens, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Sports City Eagles

 

Friday, April 13

UAE Premiership final

5pm, Al Ain, Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins

While you're here
Liverpool