Joël Matip’s late header earned Liverpool a much-needed 2-1 win against Ajax in the UEFA Champions League group stage, meaning the Amsterdamers are without a win in their last six UCL matches against Premier League opposition.Liverpool entered this game off the back of their joint-biggest UCL defeat against Napoli, while Ajax were enjoying a run of seven consecutive victories in all competitions, including a 4-0 win over Rangers. After an even opening quarter-hour, the Reds got precisely the boost they needed as Luis Díaz’s flick-on from Alisson’s long ball forward found Diogo Jota, who slipped Mohamed Salah through for the Egyptian to end his four-game goalless streak. Anfield was filled with confidence as Díaz and Jota both came close to adding a quickfire second.De Godenzonen remained calm, though, and patient build-up saw Daley Blind’s pass down the left wing release Steven Berghuis. The Dutchman then found Mohammed Kudus who smashed an unstoppable rocket in off the underside of the crossbar for his fifth goal in four matches. On Trent Alexander-Arnold’s 50th European appearance, the right-back’s ambitious strike sailed agonisingly over the crossbar, his corner saw Virgil van Dijk’s powerful header denied by Remko Pasveer before the goalkeeper made a double-save to stop the right-back before halftime.In a blistering start to the second period, Jota’s shot was saved seconds after Kudus had a penalty appeal turned down. The hosts continued to look for a way through Ajax’s resolute defence, but Blind’s intelligent intervention prevented Salah from reaching Matip’s header across the face of goal, while Harvey Elliott could only find the side netting from a tight angle soon after.It felt as though the game was destined for a draw as Darwin Núñez dragged his effort wide and Salah’s effort deflected wide off the post, but Matip’s header just about crossed the line in the 89th minute despite Dušan Tadić’s best efforts to deny him. So, in addition to having lost their opening home game just twice in their last 47 European campaigns, Liverpool have their first UCL win of the season. Meanwhile, Ajax’s run of seven consecutive UCL group stage wins comes to an end.Elsewhere, Bayer Leverkusen won their first home game of the season as two late goals earned them a crucial victory over Atlético Madrid. A second consecutive head-to-head win in the Champions League inflicted Atléti’s first away defeat in their last six road trips.The star sub for the Pharmacists was Jeremie Frimpong. Dutch youngster came in in the 69th minute and assisted in both goals Bayer scored in the final minutes of the match. First, in the 84th minute he found Robert Andrich, whose first-time finish from the edge of the box proved too good for Ivo Grbić.Frimpong was too hot to handle as he created the second moments later. Released on the right by Callum Hudson-Odoi, the Dutchman’s low cross presented the ball on a plate for Diaby to tap in. Atléti have now lost each of their last five trips to Germany, in a result that blows Group B wide open behind surprise leaders Brugge.At Cote d’Azur, Jesper Lindstrøm’s first-half strike gave Eintracht Frankfurt a fourth consecutive success on hostile turf in European competitions, as the Eagles recorded a first-ever Champions League win with a 1-0 victory over Marseille.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – ROUND 2TuesdayPlzen – Inter 0-2 (0-1)/Dzeko 20, Dumfries 70/Sporting – Tottenham 2-0 (0-0)/Paulinho 90, Arthur Gomes 90+3/Liverpool – Ajax 2-1 (1-1)/Salah 17, Matip 89- Kudus 27/Leverkusen – Atl.Madrid 2-0 (0-0)/Andrich 84, Diaby 87/Porto – Club Brugge 0-4 (0-1)/Jutgla 15 pen, Sowah 47, Skov Olsen 52, Nusa 90/Bayern – Barcelona 2-0 (0-0)/Hernandez 50, Sane 54/Olympique Marseille – Eintr.Frankfurt 0-1 (0-1)/Lindstrom 43/Wednesday19:45: (1.37) Milan (5.10) Dinamo Zagreb (10.0)19:45: (3.25) Shakhtar (3.40) Celtic (2.35)22:00: (1.40) Chelsea (4.80) Salzburg (7.75)22:00: (1.48) Real Madrid (4.40) RB Leipzig (6.75)22:00: (3.60) Copenhagen (3.40) Sevilla (2.20)22:00: (1.25) Man.City (7.00) Dortmund (12.0)22:00: (2.10) Juventus (3.50) Benfica (3.80)22:00: (16.0) Maccabi Haifa (9.50) PSG (1.13)22:00: (4.60) Rangers (3.70) Napoli (1.85)***odds are subject to change***©FlashScore
