Liverpool were without their favourite Dutchman but it didn't spoil their night in Amsterdam.

No Virgil van Dijk, no problem. For this game at least.

This was only the start of the next few months without their star defender as they took on Ajax for the first time since 1966.

But it was a good audition from Fabinho that he can fill in at the back if the Reds can survive without him in midfield.

Liverpool got their Champions League campaign off to a win. Thanks to a bit of luck, though.

A bizarre own goal from Nicolas Tagliafico was the only difference on the night at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Jurgen Klopp will feel like they deserved the touch of fortune considering the week they've had.

Liverpool's players celebrate after Ajax scored an own goal during the UEFA Champions League Group D clash

All the talk beforehand was about Van Dijk's knee injury which has wrecked his season.

Liverpool were forced into pushing Fabinho back into defence alongside Joe Gomez with Joel Matip also out.

But it was the continued absence of Alisson in goal which was the most notable in the early stages.

That was down to some shaky keeping from Adrian. Although he would make up for it later on.

It was the Kop stand-in stopper who had a clearance blocked which led to a corner and Lisandro Martinez had a chance from the set piece that was saved.

Ryan Gravenberch then had a low strike skid wide of the post as the hosts started on the front foot.

Quincy Promes should really have scored but Adrian denied the Ajax attacker with his feet.

Liverpool were getting into dangerous positions but chances weren't coming.

Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian makes one of many saves

Yet after a few days of rotten luck with injuries, they got some fortune here to get in front.

Sadio Mane turned inside the area but he took a divot out of the pitch as if he was chipping in at the side of a green.

The ball scuffed across the area and, for some reason, Tagliafico diverted it into his own net despite being under no pressure.

Liverpool were off and running in Group D. But they needed Fabinho, the back-up defender, to rescue at the other end before the break.

Dusan Tadic's lovely lob had beaten Adrian but, as it sailed in the air for what felt like an age, the Brazilian got back to hook it off the line.

Fabinho was top class against Ajax

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Liverpool brought on skipper Jordan Henderson at the break for Curtis Jones, needing to get some control in midfield.

But they were almost pegged back moments after the restart. And it was former Everton man Davy Klaassen who hit the post with a strike from just outside of the area.

Fabinho had been excellent in the first half at the back and he went close at the other end with a header from a Andy Robertson corner.

Adrian was busy as he denied Promes again, this time from a low strike.

Klopp opted to replace his front three on the hour mark with Saturday's clash with Sheffield United maybe in mind.

Jurgen Klopp's men grinded out a victory in Holland

It was one of those changes in Takumi Minamino who forced Andre Onana to push away a long-range effort with about 20 minutes to go.

Ajax were the victors when these sides met over two legs back in the 1966-67 European Cup.

But this time it was Liverpool who came out on top as they got their continental campaign off to a positive start against their rivals in Group D.

AJAX (4-3-3): Onana 7; Mazraoui 6, Schuurs 7, Martinez 7, Tagliafico 5; Klaassen 7, Blind 7, Gravenberch 7; Neres 6, Tadic 7, Kudus 6 (Promes 9, 7). Subs: Stekelenburg, Alvarez, Klaiber, Huntelaar, Ekkelenkamp, Labyad, Traore, Kotarski.

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3):Adrian 6; Alexander-Arnold 6, Gomez 7, Fabinho 8, Robertson 7; Milner 6, Wijnaldum 7, Jones 6 (Henderson 46, 6); Salah 6 (Shaqiri 59, 6), Firmino 6 (Jota 59, 6), Mane 7 (Minamino 59, 6). Subs: Kelleher, Origi, R Williams, N Williams, Jaros, Cain.

REFEREE:Felix Brych (Germany) 6