Liverpool analysis – Diogo Jota and Takumi Minamino raise a serious...

The unsuccessful pressing on an equalization left Ajax temporarily hanging on the fingernails against Liverpool’s trademark counter-attacks.

The Dutch team would have known what to expect: powerful, direct running on the left, clever connecting play between the lines through the middle, and tricks and creativity from the right.

Except that it wasn’t Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Mohamed Salah who did the damage.

The first three had been replaced in one fell swoop just before the hour when Jürgen Klopp, delighted to reapply the five-replacement rule, took on Diogo Jota, Takumi Minamino and Xherdan Shaqiri.

Any relief Ajax briefly felt with the usual attack was soon banished as the incoming trio for Liverpool provided convincing evidence of strength in depth.

Minamino and especially Jota were the outstanding personalities. The latter made another impressive appearance following his arrival from Wolverhampton Wanderers worth £ 41million.

Both can consider themselves unlucky not to have had more playing time in the past few weeks. Minamino was buoyant compared to a re-subdued Roberto Firmino, who made his 50th European appearance for the club.

With five important games within 15 days – including two more in the Champions League – the duo have shown that they are more than ready to start.

Jones learns when midfield turns back the clock

Curtis Jones has never lacked confidence.

Jones was more than ready to take responsibility after scoring a dramatic penalty shoot-out winner against Arsenal, bringing the winner home on his Derby debut and taking on the former shirt of local midfielder Steven Gerrrard.

The 19-year-old would have rubbed his hands in order to make a Champions League debut in the starting line-up in Amsterdam.

Jones made only the 10th start of his burgeoning Anfield career and was neat and tidy enough to make major mistakes.

However, he was the one who gave way during the break when Jürgen Klopp redesigned a misfiring midfield.

This was always a possible circumstance that Fabinho fell on the defensive, especially when Jordan Henderson started on the bench.

The introduction of skipper for Jones at halftime added additional cover for the backline, relieved Gini Wijnaldum of his defensive responsibilities and provided more legs to aid the ever-willing James Milner.

The reunion of the old midfield triumvirate likely wasn’t what Liverpool fans would have expected given the signings they’d made since their last regular appearance more than two years ago.

But an explosion from the past helped the Reds overcome that tricky first hurdle in the Champions League.

Battling Reds show heart

If some of the aftermath of the terrible loss at Aston Villa earlier this month continues, there is one aspect of the loss that has been resolutely addressed.

The manner in which Liverpool meekly dropped seven goals suggested that their famous “mentality monsters” were no longer there.

It was clear, however, that they only had a rare day off.

Only one controversial VAR decision at Goodison has prevented Klopp’s side from responding to their humiliating Villa Park with two impressive away wins.

Both saw that they were being shorn by key players during or before the game. After that, Liverpool just rolled up their sleeves and carried on.

It was the kind of attitude with which they fought so many close fights on the way to the title last season.

Indeed, the Reds have now won their last three Champions League away games after triumphing in just one of their last ten games.

This strangest time of the year will continue to offer many surprises. A weaker Liverpool mindset doesn’t seem to be one of them, however.

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