Liverpool edge past Ajax to show they are able to cope without Van Dijk
Liverpool proved they are able to cope without Virgil van Dijk as Nicolas Tagliafico's own goal sealed a 1-0 win at Ajax in the opening game of their Champions League campaign on Wednesday.
Jurgen Klopp's side will tend to be without Van Dijk for all of those other season following the influential Dutch centre-back suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage against Everton last weekend.
Critics have claimed Liverpool will struggle without Van Dijk, but Brazilian midfielder Fabinho filled in impressively alongside Joe Gomez at the heart of the defence.
While Liverpool weren't at their finest and rode their luck sometimes, never way more than when Tagliafico diverted Sadio Mane's scuffed effort into his own net in the first half, it was an encouraging Group D opener for Klopp.
There is enough spirit about the 2019 Champions League winners to recommend they will utilize the Van Dijk blow to fuel their Premier League title defence and European challenge.
Van Dijk will require knee surgery after being pole-axed by Everton keeper Jordan Pickford's ugly foul and his injury came at the same time when Liverpool looked vulnerable after losing 7-2 at Aston Villa prior to the international break.
Against that backdrop, keeping a clean-sheet for the third time this season was a large lift for Liverpool, who won for the very first time in three games despite also being without defender Joel Matip and midfielder Thiago Alcantara following the brutal Merseyside derby.
Liverpool were playing Ajax in Amsterdam for the very first time since losing to the fantastic Johan Cruyff's side in the 1966 European Cup.
As the only fit centre-back, Gomez was beneath the spotlight and the 23-year-old provided an early on scare when he got in a muddle with Liverpool keeper Adrian over a backpass.
Ajax couldn't take advantage on that occasion, but Liverpool found it hard to determine any momentum.
- Backs to the wall -
Their makeshift defence was easily carved open when Quincy Promes advanced down the left and found Dusan Tadic, who set up Ryan Gravenberch for a fierce strike that flashed just wide.
There is another major scare moments later as David Neres' pass found the unmarked Promes six yards from goal, but he shot straight at Adrian to let Liverpool off the hook.
Making the most of that escape, Liverpool took the lead in bizarre fashion in the 35th minute.
Mane eluded Perr Schuurs as he broke in to the Ajax area however when the Senegal forward visited shoot, he stubbed his foot into the turf, sending a miscued effort towards Tagliafico, who lost his balance and prodded the ball into his own net under no pressure.
Klopp has been fostering a siege mentality among his players because the Everton game and their backs to the wall spirit was on full display when Fabinho raced back to clear Tadic's lob off the line with a superb overhead kick.
Van Dijk couldn't did it better himself, but while Fabinho was impressing, Ajax still carried a threat.
Taking aim from the edge of the area, Davy Klaassen smashed a fierce strike off the far post in the first minute of the next half.
Ajax went close again when Noussair Mazraoui took a Neres cutback and forced Adrian into a fine save.
Klopp taken care of immediately their lethargy by firmly taking off Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Mane, with the latter needing ice on his right leg as he sat on the bench.
Takumi Minamino, among Klopp's substitutes, nearly had an instantaneous impact when his shot was almost spilled into the net by Andre Onana.
Jurgen Ekkelenkamp almost snatched a late equaliser after a blunder from Adrian, but Liverpool held their nerve to supply a morale-boosting begin to life without Van Dijk.
