Liverpool star Joel Matip opens up about scoring the late winner against Ajax Amsterdam
31-year-old Joel Matip had never scored a UEFA Champions League goal for Liverpool since joining the Reds in 2016. On Tuesday night though, this statistic changed with Matip scoring a free header beyond the Ajax keeper in what gave Liverpool the winning goal in the 89th minute.
Speaking to the club’s official website about his goal, the Cameroonian sounded happy and said that it turned out to be a “happy end” for the Reds. Although Liverpool played a good game against Ajax, it was held off by them towards the end. But Matip took his goal well, from a Kostas Tsimikas corner.
“We had a few opportunities before, so I was happy that I could score the goal. I wasn’t sure [it was in], to be honest, but when I saw the referee then the emotions came out.”
Matip was out injured for most parts until now due to a groin issue a few days before the Crystal Palace fixture. He returned to the squad against Napoli and played the second 45 against the Italian outfit. For the first time in over a month though, Matip saw himself on the starting XI.
It was a good return from injury for him, as well as Thiago Alcantara who was absolutely instrumental in the Reds midfield against Ajax. Kostas Tsimikas was excellent on his return to the starting XI as well.
It becomes easy to forgo the former Schalke 04 defender’s defensive contributions given the emotions running through towards the dying embers of the game. He was solid at the back as well, making numerous clearances and recoveries.
Is Liverpool back?
All in all, it was refreshing to see the Liverpool we were used to watching, after a string of poor and inconsistent performances. Going into the international break, this win will serve as a good morale booster for the players to continue like this throughout the campaign.
Although Liverpool played a very good game, it will be too quick to say whether Liverpool are back in top form or not. It will take more than just a last-minute goal vs Ajax to announce that the Reds are back in form. But nevertheless, it might be the start of something special this season.
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Liverpool will be out of action for quite a while now, due to the international break and the postponement of the Chelsea fixture. Liverpool’s next competitive game will be on the first of October, against Brighton and Hove Albion.
