Curtis Jones, Neco Williams Create Champions League History As Liverpool Qualify For Last-16 [Watch]

Liverpool teenage pair of Neco Williams and Curtis Jones created history for Liverpool in Reds’ 1-0 victory over Ajax in the Champions League Tuesday.

Williams and Jones, both 19-year-old, were involved in the lone goal scored by Liverpool at Anfield in their latest Champions League match. A few minutes into the second half, Jones, who received a cross from Williams, put the ball past the Ajax goalkeeper to hand the Jurgen Klopp’s side a super victory. It was the first time two teenagers combined to score a Champions League goal for Liverpool, according to Opta Sports.

It was a massive result for Liverpool as the 2018-19 champions were without many key figures such as first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker, the center-back duo of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, Thiago Alcantara, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and James Milner. Williams started in the place of injured right-back Alexander-Arnold, who is out with a calf injury and has already missed the last four fixtures.

The 19-year-old Jones, who has scored thrice in 12 senior appearances for Liverpool in 2020-21, became the third-youngest Reds player to score in the Champions League, with only David N'Gog and Alexander-Arnold having struck at an earlier age. Jones’ winner Tuesday night meant, Liverpool have qualified for the last-16 of the ongoing Champions League campaign.

Meanwhile, Caoimhin Kelleher, who started in the absence of Becker after the Brazilian picked up an injury, became just the second Liverpool goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in his Champions League debut. English shot-stopper Chris Kirkland was the last to do so - against Galatasaray in 2002.

Liverpool boss termed Tuesday’s win as "one of the most exceptional Champions League nights" his side has had.

"It was for me, one of the most exceptional Champions League nights we've had. Unfortunately, nobody saw it in the stadium, but for sure the most exceptional without supporters, " Klopp told Liverpool’s LFCTV.

Liverpool will next take on Wolves in a home fixture in the Premier League Monday. After 10 matches, the Reds are placed second in the table with 21 points.