Depleted Liverpool edge past Ajax to clinch top honors in Group D

Despite losing several first-team players to injury, Liverpool secured first place in Group D and a berth in the Champions League knockout stage Tuesday with a 1-0 win over Ajax.

Academy graduate Curtis Jones slotted home his first career Champions League goal in the 58th minute to seal the result.

Second place in Group D is still up for grabs. Atalanta, who scored a late equalizer to earn a 1-1 draw against already-eliminated Midtjylland, face Ajax in the final round of the group stage to determine which team progresses.

A draw on Dec. 9 will be enough for Atalanta to advance.

At Anfield, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp relied on some of the club's budding talent to deliver victory. Eight players had already succumbed to injury, including goalkeeper Alisson, who tweaked his hamstring in training and missed Tuesday's game for precautionary reasons.

Caoimhin Kelleher, who made just four previous starts for the Reds in League Cup and FA Cup action, replaced Alisson.

With just two minutes remaining, the 22-year-old denied Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's header from point-blank range to preserve a noteworthy clean sheet.

A pair of 19-year-olds did the business on the opposite end. Neco Williams' looping cross soared over Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana, and Jones tucked it in from a tight angle.

It was the first time two teenagers combined to score a Champions League goal for Liverpool.