Liverpool responded from their last week’s 4-1 capitulation in Naples by digging deep to secure 2-1 victory over Ajax in Anfield.
Mohammed Salah struck early to put Liverpool ahead while Kudus replied with a howitzer to draw level before Joel Matip left it late with a powerful header.
Jurgen Klopp’s men needed nothing but a positive results to put behind last week’s horror show at Napoli, but Ajax has always been a side that doesn’t take blows lying down.
Liverpool made their intentions clear from the outset — they took the game to Ajax in the opening exchanges and got the rewards for it in the 17th minute after Mohammed Salah finished off a brilliant counter-attack to score the Reds opener.
But Mohammed Kudus drew parity with a lethal finish off the post. Steven Berghuis drills in a low cross down the left channel and it found the Ghanaian inside the 18-yards-box who walloped a screamer off the crossbar and nestled into the top-bottom corner.
Just like the first half, the second half was a classic give and take — the visitors huffed and puffed but the hosts had more of the ball and created much of the chances but decided to leave it late. Joel Matip rose high and powerfully headed home a 89th minute winner to drag Liverpool across the finish line.
Liverpool are now on the same points (3) with Ajax and Napoli who will take on Rangers later today.