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Liverpool defeated Ajax 1-0 in the Champions League last night in a hard-fought clash against the Dutch giants.
Nicolas Tagliafico’s ugly own goal secured the win for Liverpool, in a game in which Ajax had their fair share of chances to take at least a share of the spoils.
The game was a nervous affair, which was not helped early on by the anxiety being spread by goalkeeper Adrian.
His decision not to pick up a shepherded ball from Joe Gomez and a poor clearance which deflected off Dusan Tadic, fortunately, wide of the goal, had Liverpool fans very concerned the second-choice stopper was going to have one of those games.
However, he ended up proving his worth, after making a brilliant save from Quincy Promes at close-range.
That save almost immediately preceded Sadio Mane drilling in a cross which Ajax’s Argentine left-back turned the ball into his own net.
Which former Liverpool stopper David James was quick to point out. The former England international, who spent seven years at Anfield, was clearly backing the goalkeeper union as he took to Twitter to praise the Spaniard.
Big save by
— David James (@jamosfoundation)
The save becomes even bigger, when score!
— David James (@jamosfoundation)
Adrian has struggled to convince Liverpool fans that he is an able deputy for their world-class number one option Adrian, who is currently missing with a shoulder injury.
But despite some ropey moments, when called upon the Spanish custodian did the job required and kept Liverpool’s clean sheet intact.
Hopefully, Adrian can iron out some of those mistakes and build on the momentum from that save.