Liverpool centre-back remains a work in progress but his makeshift partnership with Fabinho just about kept Ajax out
It was hardly a first touch that was going to inspire confidence. Barely 70 seconds had passed at the Amsterdam Arena when Joe Gomez took possession on the left-hand side of his penalty area. Attempting to shepherd the ball back to his goalkeeper, Gomez suddenly felt the breath of an Ajax forward at his shoulder and appeared to panic slightly, with Adrián required to sprint forward and smash the ball out for a throw-in, colliding with his 23-year-old teammate in the process.
In the absence of the defensive colossus Virgil van Dijk it has fallen to the softly spoken south Londoner to step into the huge void created by the Dutchman’s untimely injury. But after his shaky start, Gomez will be relieved that it was another defensive mishap in the form of Nicolás Tagliafico’s comical own goal that stole the headlines against Ajax.
Related: Liverpool edge out Ajax in Champions League after Nicolás Tagliafico own goal
Related: Klopp thrilled with Fabinho's display in defence as Liverpool shut Ajax out
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