Liverpool face Ajax on Wednesday night, hoping to book their place in the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League with a victory.
The last time these two sides met, Liverpool picked up a 2-1 win over Ajax at Anfield. And Jurgen Klopp will be hoping for more of the same in the game in Amsterdam on Wednesday.
The Reds come into this game on the back of a narrow defeat to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. And they will be desperate to bounce back with a win. It has been a mediocre season so far by their standards, and fans will be hoping for a turnaround in the coming weeks.
Liverpool are currently second in Group A with nine points from four matches. They are three points adrift of the top spot. The Premier League giants will be hoping to win their group, and they will need to win the next two matches and hope the other results go their way.
On the other hand, Ajax are third in their group with just three points, and this is a must-win game for them if they want to keep their hopes of making it to the knockout rounds alive. They were narrowly beaten at Anfield, and they will fancy their chances against the Reds this week.
Liverpool have been quite vulnerable this season and Ajax certainly have the quality to beat them at home. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the UEFA Champions League encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Ajax
✔️ Taylor, Rensch, Álvarez
✖️ Kaplan#UCL #ajaliv pic.twitter.com/Izxj1pAx7v— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) October 25, 2022
Mohamed Ihattaren, Ahmetcan Kaplan, Kenneth Taylor and Devyne Rensch are ruled out with knocks.
Ajax will likely line up in their usual 4-3-3 formation, with Remko Pasveer featuring in goal. Jorge Sanchez will start as the right-back and Calvin Bassey should be the left-back here. At the heart of the Ajax defence, Jurrien Timber is likely to partner the experienced Daley Blind. The full-backs will be expected to create an overload in the Liverpool half and provide defensive support to the centre-backs as well.
In the midfield three, Edson Alvarez will act as a defensive midfielder, and he will be tasked with breaking up the play and setting up counter-attacks for his side. The Mexican international will be partnered by Steven Berghuis and Davy Klaassen. They will add creativity and drive in the middle of the park.
In the front three, Brian Brobbey will lead the line for Ajax, with Steven Bergwijn and Dusan Tadic manning the wide areas. While Bergwijn will be expected to add pace and flair in the final third, Tadic has an exceptional eye for a pass and will add creativity for his fellow attackers.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pasveer; Sanchez, Timber, Blind, Bassey; Klaassen, Alvarez, Berghuis; Bergwijn, Brobbey, Tadic
Liverpool
Liverpool have a lengthy injury list and will be without Arthur Melo, Joel Matip, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota against Ajax on Wednesday. They will line up in a 4-4-2 formation with Alisson Becker in goal. The Brazilian has been the club’s best player this season and will be expected to keep the Ajax attackers in check.
In the back four, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will start as the full-backs. The duo will have to be aware defensively against Dusan Tadic and Steven Bergwijn. They will be expected to add creativity from the wide areas as well.
We’re live as the Reds prepare for tomorrow’s #UCL match against Ajax. 📽#AJALIV
https://t.co/vbHkR3QwTh— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 25, 2022
In the midfield, Fabinho will partner Thiago Alcantara. While the Brazilian will be expected to win the ball back for his side, Thiago will be the main creator and will need to control the tempo of the game. Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho are expected to start in the wide areas.
The duo will look to add creativity to the side and drift infield to outnumber the Ajax midfielders from time to time. As for the offensive unit, Darwin Nunez is expected to return to the side after missing out against Nottingham Forest with a hamstring strain. Mohamed Salah should partner him in the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Fabinho, Thiago, Carvalho; Salah, Nunez
Key Stats
- Liverpool have scored at least two goals in 14 of their last 17 matches in the UEFA Champions League.
- Ajax have lost their last three Champions League matches.
- Liverpool have won their last three matches in the Champions League.
- Liverpool have won their last three matches against Ajax in all competitions.
- Ajax have conceded at least two goals in their last three matches in the Champions League.
Player to Watch
Darwin Nunez
The former Benfica striker has had a mediocre start to life at Liverpool, and he will be desperate to answer his critics. He missed the game against Nottingham Forest and will look to make an explosive return for Liverpool here. Nunez caused all sorts of problems for Ajax at Anfield, and he is our man to watch out once again.
Prediction
Ajax 1-1 Liverpool
Despite losing to Liverpool earlier this season, Ajax showed their quality at Anfield. And they will be a formidable opponent this week. Liverpool have been quite inconsistent and will likely struggle away from home. This is going to be a closely contested affair, and the two sides should cancel each other out.
