Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says qualifying for the Champions League knockout phase should “never be taken for granted” after his side sealed their spot in the last 16.

Needing a draw to reach the next stage, Klopp’s side were fortunate not to be behind before Mohamed Salah clipped in with their only shot on target of the first half.

Darwin Nunez, back in the starting line-up after injury, should have doubled the lead before half-time but the £64m summer signing struck a post with an open goal in front of him.

However, the Uruguay forward quickly made amends by powering in a precise header from Andy Robertson’s corner shortly after the restart.

Moments later, England Under-21 midfielder Harvey Elliott added the third by latching on to Salah’s reverse pass and lashing into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

Liverpool’s decisive finishing clinched a place in the last 16 for the sixth successive season.

“Qualifying for the knockout stages, I think nobody ever should take for granted – it’s really difficult,” said Klopp.

“We did it again, which is a big achievement in itself.”

The comfortable victory means the Reds host Napoli in next week’s final round of group-stage fixtures safe in the knowledge their place is assured.

Experience sees Liverpool through

Liverpool’s inconsistent start to the season, epitomised by another disjointed performance in a shock 1-0 Premier League defeat at Nottingham Forest at the weekend, has frustrated their supporters and left some wondering about the direction of Klopp’s side.

The prospect of a smooth passage to the Champions League knockout phase was far from certain after a 4-1 defeat by Napoli in their opening group game.

But their vast experience in Europe’s premier club competition, in which they were champions in 2019 and runners-up last season, has eventually provided much-needed comfort, as they brushed away any early fears of not progressing.

Home and away victories over Rangers and Ajax have propelled the Reds into last 16, while the prize of finishing group winners is still up for grabs if they can beat Napoli by a four-goal margin at Anfield.

Despite being far from their best in Amsterdam, particularly in the first half, Liverpool’s quality and know-how eventually shone through against the Dutch champions.

Asked if the performance would provide a lift for his squad, Klopp told BT Sport: “Look, we don’t have to talk about it all the time but it is clear.

“It is really helpful for the club, it is important for everybody and of course gives us a lift. Tonight we feel all great.”

Things could have been much different had Ajax taken either of the two glorious chances which they spurned before Salah’s strike.

A slick move carved open the visitors in the third minute, only for Steven Berghuis to hit the post when he had time and space in the penalty box.

With Liverpool lacking cohesion and not managing a serious effort on the home goal, another clear-cut chance went begging when they piled forward on the counter-attack shortly after the half-hour mark.

The quick surge left Liverpool outnumbered at the back, but right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold showed excellent positional sense to block Dusan Tadic’s goal-bound shot.

Injuries to key players have not helped the Reds’ momentum this season, a point emphasised by Klopp in the build-up to the trip to Amsterdam.

Being able to welcome back Alexander-Arnold and captain Jordan Henderson added a much-needed layer of experience at Johan Cruyff Arena, with Nunez offering a focal point in their attack.

Now Klopp’s task is to ensure his side can finally start stringing together convincing performances in the Premier League, starting with Saturday’s visit of a Leeds United side bereft of confidence.

Player of the match

RobertsonAndrew Robertson

Ajax

1. Squad number3Player nameBassey

2. Squad number22Player namePasveer

3. Squad number19Player nameSánchez

4. Squad number2Player nameTimber

5. Squad number10Player nameTadic

6. Squad number17Player nameBlind

7. Squad number9Player nameBrobbey

8. Squad number20Player nameKudus

9. Squad number7Player nameBergwijn

10. Squad number23Player nameBerghuis

11. Squad number4Player nameÁlvarez

12. Squad number6Player nameKlaassen

13. Squad number8Player nameTaylor

14. Squad number5Player nameWijndal

15. Squad number21Player nameGrillitsch

16. Squad number35Player nameFrancisco Conceição