While Jürgen Klopp lags behind with his Liverpool FC in the English Premier League, the Reds are dominant in the Champions League and reach the round of 16. But the undefeated Naples won the group. Tottenham is dramatic against Sporting, Inter progresses unchallenged.
For Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool FC, at least in the Champions League, the English runners-up made it into the knockout round for the sixth time in a row with a 3-0 (1-0) win at Ajax Amsterdam. Inter Milan and FC Porto have also advanced early on Wednesday, while FC Barcelona missed the round of 16 like last year.
Liverpool were initially lucky in Amsterdam, before star striker Mohamed Salah (42nd) took the lead, Ajax missed several top-class chances. After the break, million newcomers Darwin Nunez (49th) and Harvey Elliott (51st) increased. The Klopp team had lost 0-1 (0-0) in the Premier League at bottom of the table Nottingham Forest and is only eighth.
Liverpool's league rivals Tottenham, on the other hand, have to tremble in the completely open Group D after a 1-1 (0-1) draw against Sporting Lisbon. The supposed winning goal by top striker Harry Kane (90. 5), which would have meant entry into the knockout stages, was conceded for an offside position. The fifth win in the fifth game in Group A was achieved by previously qualified SSC Napoli by beating Glasgow Rangers 3-0 (2-0).
FC Porto got their ticket to the round of 16 with a 4-0 (1-0) win at leaders FC Bruges because Bayer Leverkusen drew against Atletico. The Belgians, already safely through and visiting the Werkself next Tuesday, failed twice from the penalty spot.
Meanwhile, Inter sealed Barca's end with a 4-0 (2-0) win over Viktoria Pilsen before the Catalans even played Bayern Munich (0-3) at home. As in the previous year, Barcelona only continues to play in the Europa League. The former Bundesliga professionals Henrich Mchitarjan (35th) and Edin Dzeko (42nd, 66th) as well as the Belgian Romelu Lukaku (87th) on his comeback after a two-month injury break were successful for Inter. This means that twelve of the 16 round of 16 have been determined.
