Elimination in the Champions League is near for Ajax after Liverpool’s victory over Rangers FC. The English club of coach Jürgen Klopp fell behind at Ibrox against the Scottish team of Giovanni van Bronckhorst, but eventually won with big numbers: 1-7. Mohamed Salah made a hat-trick as a substitute in just over 6 minutes.
The ‘Reds’ of Orange international Virgil van Dijk therefore came to 9 points from four games. Napoli, which earlier in the evening won 4-2 against Ajax in front of their own audience, is already certain of a place in the eighth finals of the Champions League with 12 points. Ajax is on 3 points. The Dutch champion started in group A with a win against Rangers (4-0), but then lost against Liverpool (2-1) and twice against Napoli.
Ajax must win the home match against Liverpool on October 26 to continue to have a chance of a sequel in the Champions League. The team of trainer Alfred Schreuder closes the group stage a week later in Glasgow against the still scoreless Rangers. Liverpool will receive Napoli at Anfield that day (November 1).
Scott Arfield put Rangers ahead in the 17th minute, but Roberto Firmino quickly headed in the equalizer. The Brazilian gave Liverpool the lead shortly after the break and enabled Darwin Núñez to score 1-3 with a heel. Salah, who came on for Núñez, scored three times between the 75th and 81st minutes. Harvey Elliott scored the seventh goal.