Liverpool advance to the Champions League knockout stages as group winners after their nervy 1-0 win at home to Ajax. Meanwhile Manchester United face a nervy final day in their Champions League group.
Paris Saint-Germain, Man United and RB Leipzig are all on 9 points. Manchester City and Chelsea both secured their group winner statuses.
Liverpool Advance After Edging Win Over Ajax
Liverpool named a relatively strong starting lineup. Caoimhin Kelleher, Neco Williams and Curtis Jones were the exceptions but arguably made the most impact. Jones got the winning goal after an assist from
Williams but was massively helped by an error from Ajax goalkeeper André Onana, who failed to get to the cross.
Kelleher, who filled in for the injured Allison, was a worthy replacement after an impressive performance.
The Irishman made some great saves in this game, including a great save late on to deny Klaas Jan Huntelaar. There was also a great save earlier on to deny a long range effort from Ajax defender Noussair Mazraoui.
Liverpool were not brilliant in this performance, but will be happy to have made it through. With the fixtures piling up and the amount of injures suffered so far this season, Liverpool have avoided a nervy last game away at FC Midtjylland next week.
Nervy Last Game Awaits Man United
Man United lost 3-1 to French side Paris Saint-Germain. After levelling the scores at 1-1, PSG scored two goals in the second half to secure all three points. With PSG, Man United and RB Leipzig all on 9 points, this makes for a tense affair in Germany against Leipzig.
Brazilian Fred was lucky to avoid red after an apparent headbutt but the midfielder was later shown a second yellow and was given his matching orders.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has secured important victories during his time as Man United manager. This would be right up there as one of the biggest results of his tenure. A win would see United progress to the knockouts. A loss would almost certainly mean they play European football after Christmas in the Europa League.
Manchester City Get The Job Done
Man United’s local neighbours Manchester City also earned group winner status with a 0-0 draw away at Porto.
Man City would have felt disappointed not to have secured all three points, having had 68% possession and five more shots on target than Porto. The result is the most important thing. They got the result that mattered, which will be all that Pep Guardiola will care about.
Olivier Giroud Nets Four In Seville
Olivier Giroud was the hero for Chelsea as they beat Sevilla 4-0 in Spain, with all four goals scored by the French striker. Their win also puts them as group winners, which will allow them to rest players in similar fashion to Liverpool.
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