Liverpool may have been fumbling in the Premier League but they cemented a big consolation for themselves on Wednesday as they also clinched a spot in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions fiasco.
They walloped Ajax 3-0.
Mohamed Salah’s opener fired Liverpool to life shortly before the break and efforts from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott secured the English side in the round of 16.
“We’re through to the knockout stages and I will never take that for granted. It’s a really big one. We’re exhausted but we feel great,” Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp said.
It was not a good day for Spanish teams, as Atletico Madrid missed a late penalty kick.
They also said goodbye to the UEFA Champions League following a 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen, who were already out.
Atletico Madrid were awarded a penalty kick in added time but Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky blocked Yannick Carrasco’s attempt.
Saúl Ñíguez hit the bar with the rebound, while Reinildo’s follow-up was deflected over the bar in some dramatic final seconds.
“The result is not progress for us. It was not our best game, but the team showed character and that moves us forward,” Hradecky said, referring to the chance of still qualifying for the Europa League.
There was also late drama in London when Harry Kane hit the net to send Tottenham through to the next round.
But his effort was ruled out and the English side had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Sporting Lisbon.
All is up for grabs in their Group D as Europa League champions Eintracht Frankfurt kept their hopes alive with a 2-1 win over Olympique Marseille.
Matteo Guendouzi cancelled Daichi Kamada’s opener but Randal Kolo Muani secured the Germans their first UEFA Champions League home win.
“It definitely cost us a lot of energy. I think we still played well and calmly in the end,” Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp said.
Elsewhere, a Giovanni Simeone brace and a late effort from Leo Østigård secured Napoli a 3-0 win over Glasgow Rangers.
The Italians need a point next week against Liverpool to top the group.
Earlier, FC Porto scored three goals in 13 minutes to beat Club Brugge 4-0.
With Atletico Madrid’s defeat, the Portuguese team made it to the last 16.
