Liverpool 2 Ajax 1 : Bassey faces off with Salah as Matip strikes late to earn Reds victory

Super Eagles defender, Calvin Bassey was in action for Ajax Amsterdam in their UEFA Champions League loss to at Anfield on Tuesday night.

From a defensive point, the 22-year-old managed to contain one of the most menacing strikers in the UEFA Champions League Mohamed Salah for 73 minutes after the Egyptian netted the opening goal but the Premier League side secured all three points thanks to a dramatic winner from Joel  Matip.

Liverpool coming into the game were tipped to bounce back, having lost their opening day game to Napoli.

The Reds heaped pressure on the Dutch giants in the opening minutes of the encounter but the Bassey led defense line was resolute.

Ajax would go on to concede in the 17th minute after Salah got the better of Remko Pasveer to dump the ball at the back of the net.

Ten minutes later, Ghana star Mohammed Kudus restored parity for the visiting side.

At halftime, there was nothing to separate both sides.

In the second half, Jurgen Klopp's men struggled to breach Ajax's backline thanks to Bassey's doggedness.

Despite his efforts, Liverpool went on to score in the 89th minute through Joel Matip who met a corner with a firm header in the penalty area.

Ajax remain in first place in the provisional standings. The Amsterdam based club have three points from two games.

Toyosi Afolayan

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