‘Practically an attack’ – Liverpool star’s brother left furious but things get even better for Jordan Henderson’s Ajax

Ajax were left counting their blessings after making it through to the Europa League last 16 by the skin of their teeth.

The Amsterdam giants fell 2-1 to Belgian outfit Union Saint-Gilloise on Thursday night, but completed a play-off win with an aggregate scoreline of 3-2.

The game was, quite frankly, bonkers, though, with Union going 2-0 up after 28 minutes to level the tie.

Their second goal came after former Everton man Davy Klaassen was deemed to have blocked a shot with his hand on the goal-line, and he was duly sent off with Promise David scoring from the spot.

Union held on for extra-time, but Ajax then brought on the troops, including captain Jordan Henderson, and won the match with a penalty from Kenneth Taylor.

However, their opponents from Brussels wanted a penalty of their own in the last minute of extra time to force a shoot-out, and they may well have had a point.

Kevin Rodriguez went for a high ball in extra-time stoppage time, but was completely cleaned out by Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer.

English referee Chris Kavanagh refused to point to the spot and Ajax held on for the win, but Union were fuming.

Rodriguez was left with a broken nose and there was blood everywhere, and his teammates couldn’t believe the call afterwards.

Scorer of the game’s first goal, and brother of Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, Kevin said: “At that moment, Rodriguez's face said enough. He was bleeding everywhere.

"I told the referee not to even check the phase, just the bloody face. Maybe he just didn't have the personality to blow another penalty. 

“You can lose, but you lose because of a referee... We're going home empty-handed, but he won't lose any sleep over it."

David, Union’s other goalscorer, was even more angry, adding: "We all saw it, it was practically an attack. 

“When the goalkeeper practically hits a player in the face and he ends up with a bloody nose, you would think that the referees would at least look at the images. But even that didn't seem to be the case. 

“We feel robbed. But that's football. We gave everything and we are proud of what we achieved in this competition."

Despite the uproar, Ajax go home delighted, given that their Eredivisie rivals have been excelling elsewhere.

PSV and Feyenoord have both progressed to the last 16 of the top tier Champions League, so a Europa exit would’ve been extra humiliating for Ajax.

Yet domestically, it’s all about Francesco Farioli’s side, who are top of the Eredivisie for the first time in more than two years.

The Amsterdammers were as many as nine points off of PSV this season.

However, a run of seven-straight wins for the first time has them back at the top of the league.

And it’s all looking up for Henderson and Co. after transfer drama in January.