Jurgen Klopp described the 1-0 win over Ajax to reach the knockout stages as "one of the biggest Champions League nights" he has experienced as Liverpool manager given his depleted squad.
Liverpool, missing a host of first team regulars, claimed the victory at Anfield thanks to 19-year-old Curtis Jones, while Caoimhin Kelleher kept a clean sheet against the Dutch giants on his European debut.
The win also ensures Klopp's men secure top in Group D with a game to spare, allowing the German to give some of his stars a much-needed rest away to Midtjylland next week.
"Honestly, since I am (at) Liverpool, for how it feels, one of the biggest Champions League nights," said Klopp, who has guided Liverpool to two finals and won the competition in 2019.
"Without supporters in, it was the most important, the most difficult and the most exceptional game."
Kelleher had to deputise for Alisson Becker, who added to Klopp's long injury list before kick-off, while Andrew Robertson needed heavy strapping applied to his ankle in the first half.
Liverpool were already without Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, Xherdan Shaqiri, Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Milner through injury.
"There are not a lot of reasons to smile because of the injuries it's tricky. Then the boys throw themselves into that game," Klopp said.
"How the kids played. Robbo with a proper knock on the ankle pushing himself through, Hendo (Jordan Henderson) with a proper knock on the back, pushing himself through. Gini (Wijnaldum) I have no words for him, Curtis Jones what a game for a 19-year-old boy. I'm really proud tonight."
Ajax had been unbeaten in eight games since losing to at home to Liverpool in October, but they could not find a way past the inspired Kelleher.
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Liverpool v Ajax player ratings
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Caoimhin Kelleher - 7. Nerveless and excellent on his unexpected European debut. Made a good save from Mazraoui in the first half but the highlight was palming away a late Huntelaar header to preserve the lead. EPA -
Neco Williams - 7. A huge improvement on recent performances. The full-back was quick and unruffled even though Ajax tried to apply pressure down the right. EPA -
Joel Matip - 7. Always willing to help out Williams and was especially strong in the air. Composed against a bright Ajax side -
Fabinho - 7. The Brazilian reads the game so well. The makeshift centre-back proved the master of interceptions and blocks. AFP -
Andy Robertson - 6. The Scot looked to be struggling with injuries and appeared to be in desperate need of a rest. Yet he was always liable to charge upfield and cause havoc in the opposition half. EPA -
Curtis Jones – 8. Hit the post early on, ghosted in to score the winner and showed how dangerous he can be going forward. The 19-year-old enjoyed himself, even performing stepovers in the Ajax box. AFP -
Jordan Henderson – 7. The captain moves the ball along quickly and helps to protect the back four. His mental toughness spreads throughout the team. AFP -
Georginio Wijnaldum - 6. Plugs gaps all over the pitch. Happy to do the less glamorous tasks. Rarely wasted the ball. EPA -
Diogo Jota - 5. Troubled the defence with direct running but the Portuguese was not as dynamic as usual. Withdrawn for Firmino with 22 minutes left. AFP -
Mohamed Salah - 6. A quiet night for the Egyptian, who made numerous good runs but rarely received the ball. Created a late Firmino chance. Substituted in the final minute for Rhys Williams. AFP -
Sadio Mane - 6. Kept Mazraoui occupied and engaged in an enjoyable battle with Schuurs. His first touch was not as precise as usual. AFP -
SUB: Roberto Firmino - 6. Replaced Jota in the 68th minute. The Brazilian was inventive and busy but should have scored when set up by Salah. EPA -
SUB: Rhys Williams - 5. Shored up the defence in the waning minutes when replacing Salah for stoppage time. Calmly saw the game out. Reuters -
AJAX RATINGS: Andre Onana - 4. The goalkeeper made a calamitous mistake for Liverpool’s winner. The Cameroonian got caught under a cross and conceded an avoidable goal. EPA -
Noussair Mazraoui – 7. Subdued Mane and still managed to get forward and test Kelleher with a first-half shot that drew a fine save. AFP -
Perr Schuurs - 7. Strong at the centre of the defence. Coped well with Liverpool’s triple attacking threat. Showed impressive speed. AFP -
Daley Blind - 6. Makes up for a lack of pace with intelligent positioning and leadership skills. Taken off for Martinez with four minutes left. EPA -
Nicolas Tagliafico - 6. The Argentine was efficient defensively but might have expected to provide more thrust in the Liverpool half of the pitch. AFP -
Edson Alvarez - 4. A disappointing night for the Mexican who had little impact on proceedings. Replaced by Labyad with 21 minutes left. AFP -
Davy Klaassen - 6. Should have done much better with a second-half header. The former Everton man got into dangerous positions but his end product was poor. AFP -
Ryan Gravenberch - 7. Has the ability to beat an opponent and caused the defence problems. Sent Matip the wrong way to create a chance just before half time. The 18-year-old was his team’s best player. Reuters -
Antony - 4. The Brazilian should have thrived against an injured and exhausted Robertson but the winger shrunk from the challenge. EPA -
Dusan Tadic - 6. Always seemed on the verge of hurting Liverpool but never quite managed to influence the game in a significant manner. EPA -
David Neres – 6. Sent in some dangerous crosses but did not exploit the inexperience of Williams. Hit the post just before Liverpool scored. Injured with nine minutes left and withdrawn for Traore. AFP -
SUB: Zakaria Labyad - 4. On for Alvarez with 21 minutes to go but the Moroccan had as little effect as the man he replaced. AFP -
SUB: Lassina Traore – 5. Joined the action with nine minutes left when Neres went off but could not change the course of the match in such a short time. AFP -
SUB: Lisandro Martinez – 5. Part of a late double substitution as Ajax threw caution to the wind. Too little, too late for the Dutch side. AFP -
SUB: Klaas Jan Huntelaar – 3. Sent on when Ajax became desperate in the final four minutes. Should have equalised with a header but put the ball too close to Kelleher. It was a poor effort from a veteran with such a goalscoring pedigree. EPA
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Ajax now must beat Atalanta in Amsterdam next week to make the last 16 and they were left to regret what might have been but for one moment of madness from goalkeeper Andre Onana.
The Spaniard made amends with a great save to turn Roberto Firmino's effort onto the post to keep Ajax in the game after Liverpool's best move of the match involving Henderson and Mohamed Salah.
But Kelleher produced an even better stop two minutes from time to parry Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's powerful header from point-blank range to see Liverpool over the line.
A delighted Klopp ran onto the field to embrace his goalkeeper after the full-time whistle and will hope his squad is in better health for another deep run in the knockout stages come the new year.
"You never know how a boy will react," said Klopp. "I'm really happy with how calm he was, with how good he was."
