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Champions League video highlights: Oxlade-Chamberlain scores wonder goal for Liverpool and Chelsea stun Ajax
Jurgen Klopp praises the England midfielder after his brace sets up victory in Genk
The Italians are top on seven points, one more than the Reds, and the group winner will likely be decided when Liverpool host Napoli at Anfield on 27 November.
The Ox is on fire
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The architect of Liverpool’s win was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Absent for most of last season with a knee injury, the England midfielder scored twice in Genk, including a delicious strike with the outside of his boot that mesmerised team-mates as well as opponents.
“Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goals were brilliant, and very important,” said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. “We’re really pleased for him, it was a big step.”
Super Sunday
Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah also got on the scoresheet, while the hosts scored a late consolation goal through Stephen Odey.
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The night belonged to Liverpool, who returned to winning ways after being held to a 1-1 draw at Manchester United at the weekend.
Next up for Klopp’s team is Tottenham on Sunday, and the Liverpool boss can’t wait to welcome them to Anfield after their thumping win on Tuesday against Red Star.
“We’ve just had two away games that were both difficult for different reasons,” he said. “I don’t know where we are now but I know where we need to be on Sunday.
“It’s a refreshed Tottenham… but we’re a different team to Red Star Belgrade, just like Tottenham are different to Genk.”
Group H: Ajax 0 Chelsea 1
Chelsea stunned Ajax with a 1-0 victory in Amsterdam that has thrown group H wide open.
Michy Batshuayi scored the only goal of the game, coming off the bench to net the winner four minutes from time.
The result means that Ajax and Chelsea both have six points and Valencia have four. Lille, who drew 1-1 with Valencia, have just one point.
The west London club host the Dutch side for their return fixture at Stamford Bridge on 5 November.
Beautiful baby blues
Ajax had their chances but VAR denied Quincy Promes’s strike in the first half for offside and Edson Alvarez headed against the post in the second-half.
Otherwise the Blues did a good job at taking the sting from last season’s Champions League semi-finalists.
For Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, the result was a vindication of his determination to rebuild the Chelsea squad, using the club’s younger players as the foundations.
“The young players are still babies in terms of Champions League minutes so this was a huge test for them,” said Lampard, who took over the reins at Stamford Bridge in the summer.
“I think we’re allowed to be excited tonight. That’s the blueprint. There are no excuses for us now. That’s the standard and we can’t drop it.”
