Liverpool cruised into the knockout stages of the Champions League as they thrashed Ajax 3-0 in Amsterdam.The Reds took a perhaps undeserved lead into the break after a dinked Mohamed Salah finish rounded off their best move of the half.However, they went up a gear in the second period, carving out a comfortable lead through goals from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott.And that ensured they sealed a place in the latter stages of the Champions League courtesy of a second-placed finish behind Napoli, leaving Ajax battling Rangers for a Europa League place.MORE: 1H 2H Final Ajax000Liverpool123Goals:LIV:Salah (42nd min)LIV:Nunez Brandon Graham Jersey (49th min)LIV:Elliott (52nd min) After seven years of steadfast commitment to a 4-3-3 at Liverpool, it has been remarkable to see Jurgen Klopp open himself up to experimentation this season.After a poor start to the campaign, the Reds have flitted between a 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2 in recent weeks in a bid to rediscover their best form.At Ajax, however, Klopp once again tried on a new shape featuring a diamond midfield - a movethat looked like a mi step in a ropey opening period but, by the end of the game, could better be described as a managerial masterstroke.It is a shape that clearly helps get Nunez and Salah in goalscoring positions, as well as making up for the lo s of two key Isaiah Livers Jersey left-sided wingers in Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz.Could this be the formation that keeps Liverpool on track until their injuries ease?6 - Liverpool have progre sed from the group stage in all six of their UEFA Champions League campaigns under Jrgen Klopp, their longest ever run of consecutive qualifications in the competition. Know-how. OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) With injuries mounting and a busy schedule ahead prior to the World Cup, Klopp could do with a few free hits.And that is exactly what his side have turned their group-ending Anfield meeting with Napoli into by securing victory over Ajax.With their place in the knockout stages already a sured, there is no need for Liverpool to take any risks when it comes to the fitne s of their star men next Tuesday.In fact, the manager might well be considering wholesale changes as he prioritises keeping his squad fit and fresh for the Premier League tests to come. If this is to be something of a transitional season for Liverpool, then they can take heart from the important experience it will give to several youngsters.Elliott was the obvious standout here, adding to his burgeoning reputation with a mature performance and a remarkable right-footed finish.However, Curtis Jones, Fabio Carvalho and Stefan Bajcetic all enjoyed impre sive cameos as the visitors comfortably saw out an important win on the biggest stage GO BLUE Jersey in European football.Klopp is known as a manager who will give youth a chance and is staying true to that even in the midst of a mixed start to the campaign. Liverpool FC (@LFC) FULLTIME:Liverpool secure their place in the last-16 of the Champions League as Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott blow Ajax away.Things might not be going to plan for the Reds in the Premier League at the moment, but they are still a threat in Europe.89th min:Carvalho almost sprints onto a Milner ball in behind but is beaten to the ball by an alert Pasveer.Good goalkeeping.81st min:Liverpool knocking it around comfortably now as Ajax fans head for the exits.This hasn't been a vintage performance from the visitors and yet they have comfortably dispatched their Dutch opponents.70th min:More changes for Liverpool, with Carvalho, Milner and Bajcetic entering the fray for Henderson, Elliott and Fabinho.A worry for Jurgen Klopp to see Henderson limping - the Reds could do without another injury blow.62nd min:Darwin Nunez making way after an eventful evening, with Curtis Jones taking his place.52nd min: GOAL!Wow, Liverpool make it three out of nowhere!Salah picks out a beauty Rudy Tomjanovich Jersey of a ball in behind for Elliott, who takes a touch and smashes the ball into the roof of the net from the tightest of angles.What a finish from the 19-year-old!A fantastic finish by young Harvey Elliott That pa s from Salah though Liverpool flying now Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) THREE FOR LIVERPOOL Surely that's the Reds through to the knockout stages of the DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) Harvey Eliott on the tight angle CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) Thumping finish from Elliott and Liverpool are heading to the Round of 16 Stan Sport Football (@StanSportFC) 49th min:GOAL!Nunez makes up for that glaring mi s by scoring Liverpool's second!The Reds striker gets in front of his man from a Robertson corner to expertly flick a header in at the far post to double the visitors' lead.... he came from Benfica to the Big Reds! Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) NUNEZ The striker makes up for his earlier chance with a brilliant header DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) HE WASNT GOING TO MISS THIS ONE CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) A perfect header from Darwin Nunez Stan Sport Football (@StanSportFC) 46th min:Ajax get the game restarted and know they need a win from here to keep their Champions League campaign alive.HALFTIME:The whistle sounds in Amsterdam and, despite having been second-best for much of that 45 minutes, Liverpool are one goal ahead.It could have been even better had Nunez not inexplicably hit the frame of the goal from close range moments after the opener.Still, Liverpool heading through as things stand - .44th min:And now Liverpool hit the post!Nunez is all alone with the goalkeeper stranded after Firmino unselfishly squares from Robertson's ball acro s the box, but the Uruguayan somehow strikes Brandon Johns Jr. Jersey the upright. That's a poor, poor finish.42nd min:GOAL!Liverpool take the lead - and you have to say it has come against the run of play.It comes after a series of clever headed pa ses creates space for Henderson to play a beauty of an outside-of-the-foot ball to Salah.The Egyptian's finish might have been more tricky, but goalkeeper Pasveer had wandered into no-man's land and was easily chipped from there.Liverpool take the lead! Mo Salah with a cheeky dink after Henderson's wonderful cro s Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) LIVERPOOL LEAD Salah finishes brilliantly after some poor goalkeeping from the hosts DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) The perfect touch from Mo Salah to send it in to the goal CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) A deft