Liverpool player ratings vs Ajax: Elite Fabinho, the end of Milner?

Read the Liverpool player ratings from our 1-0 defeat of Ajax.

Manager Jurgen Klopp was forced to play Fabinho in defence as Joel Matip sat out the game because of an injury the former Cameroon international picked up in the Everton game.

Anyone who had doubts about the Brazilian’s ability to play at centre-back would have had them dispelled during the course of his masterclass in Amsterdam.

Joe Gomez had a good game next to Fabinho, but was he overshadowed by his colleague? Some might like to argue that he was.

There were other selection surprises through by Klopp, who picked Curtis Jones and James Milner in midfield as Jordan Henderson was given a rest while Naby Keita was ruled out as a precaution.

If Keita’s injury leaves him on the treatment table for the next game against Sheffield United, the gaffer will have a serious selection headache.

Meanwhile Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah continue their attacking trident – but that could be broken up after an excellent performance by one of the substitutes.

The only goal of the game came through a Nicolas Tagliafico own goal, but Gini Wijnaldum could have scored a second if his header was more carefully placed.

Davy Klaassen hit the post as Ajax tried to grab an equaliser, but the Amsterdam giants failed to put one past Adrian in goal – who will have welcomed his rare clean sheet.

With that in mind, let’s move on to the Liverpool player ratings against Ajax and we’ll start with the goalkeeper.

The Spaniard had one early mix-up with Gomez, but it wasn’t his fault alone and Adrian grabbed back some credit with an excellent save against Quincy Promes.

A clean sheet will give him confidence, and the former West Ham man grew in stature at the game continued. Let’s hope he can build on that moving forward.