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Van Dijk lauds 'step in right direction' as Liverpool secure late win over Ajax

Joel Matip's late header helped Liverpool secure a 2-1 win over Ajax at Anfield on Tuesday.

After a horrific 4-1 loss to Napoli in the opening group game, Liverpool overcame a stubborn Ajax to get their season back on track.

Mohamed Salah broke the deadlock after 17 minutes with a strong finish after being put through by Diogo Jota.

The home side created plenty of chances, but Ajax struck back through Mohammed Kudus.

Second-half pressure built in front of the Kop and Jurgen Klopp's men eventually found the winner in the 89th minute.

Matip rose majestically over Calvin Bassey to power a header which appeared to be cleared off the line by Dusan Tadic, only for goal-line technology to correctly overturn the decision.

Speaking after the game, Reds star Virgil van Dijk said the result was a 'step in the right direction'.

"It was very important to show a positive reaction. It's not easy to turn it around, but it is a step in the right direction.

"During the game there were great moments. It was very important to win going into the international break.

"I should have scored. We felt dangerous in the set-piece, especially corners, and it was our responsibility to convert one - thankfully Joel [Matip] did.

"We are not listening to the outside world. A lot of ex-football players, who know what we go through, they say a lot to get us down, but we know the last game was very bad and this was a step in the right direction."

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Freddie Taylor

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