Champions League 2022-23: Liverpool vs Ajax Match Preview
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Special European night at Anfield is back, as Liverpool prepares for the midweek Champions League clash against Ajax.
Two sides with contrasting forms face each other in a crucial Champions League group A game. Liverpool were thrashed by Napoli in the opening game last week, meanwhile, Ajax ripped apart Rangers in the other game.
Goals from Piotr Zielinski (2), Andre Zambo Anguisaa, and Giovanni Simeone goals made sure Liverpool recorded one of the humiliating defeats in their club’s history at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Liverpool vs Ajax: Preview
Liverpool are enduring the worst start to a season under their boss Jurgen Klopp. The Merseysiders are seventh in the league table at the moment and have failed to meet expectations so far.
The team is currently out of form and injuries to key players haven’t helped. But the surprising element so far has been the team’s attitude in these tough times, the horror show against Napoli is a clear example of the team’s self-doubt and low spirit.
Klopp has a huge task in hand to lift the team’s spirit and change the team’s fortune moving ahead, as this is the exact team that was fighting for the quadruple a few months back.
Following Queen Elizabeth II’s demise, the weekend’s fixture against Wolves was postponed, which gave the team extra time to prepare for the game against Ajax.
Looking into the game on Tuesday, Liverpool’s unbeaten run at Anfield now stands at 10 matches in all tournaments since Inter Milan defeated 1-0.
Meanwhile, talking about the visitors’ Ajax, they are currently looking unstoppable at the moment. The Eredivisie side defeated Rangers 4-0 and humiliated Heerenveen by putting past five goals in the weekend.
Schreuder’s side has maintained a 100% record so far in their domestic league, keeping five clean sheets in the process.
Both Liverpool and Ajax were the two of only three sides to collect all 18 points in last season’s group stage, the other side being Bayern Munich. However, the Reds failed to become the first-ever English side to win seven Champions League group games on the bounce last week.
A tough fixture for Liverpool awaits on Tuesday, isn’t it?
However, previously, when these two sides met back in 2020, Liverpool did win by a solitary goal.
Klopp & Co. are in desperate need of three points from the game, for sure.
Team News
The Reds are once again without captain Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Curtis Jones for the game. Moreover, Ibrahima Konate, Calvin Ramsey, and Caominhin Kelleher still continue to medical aid their injury issues.
Furthermore, Robertson has put more worries on Klopp, as he picked up a knee injury. Greek international Kostas Tsimikas will take Scotsman’s place on Tuesday’s game.
However, Fabio Carvalho is expected to be back in the playing squad and be on the bench, after missing some time out due to a dead leg.
Defender Joel Matip will expect to partner Virgil Van Dijk, after Joe Gomez’s poor show at Naples.
In the team’s front line, Jota should be given chance ahead of misfiring Salah alongside Diaz and Nunez.
Liverpool’s possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Thiago, Fabinho, Elliott; Jota, Nunez, Diaz
Liverpool vs Ajax: What Anfield Home Predicts
No weekend’s action could go in Liverpool’s favor but given the Reds’ poor form surely the game against Wolves could have injected confidence going into the Ajax game.
The Anfield crowd would have a huge role to play on Tuesday night. A refreshed Liverpool side is anticipated to turn up the heat at their fortress. But Ajax’s free-flowing style of play will surely result in goals.
Liverpool looks very likely to draw 2-2 against Ajax.
