Liverpool v Ajax: Preview and Predictions


Liverpool v Ajax: Preview and Predictions
The last time they met Liverpool won courtesy of an own goal by Nicholas Tagliafico

Liverpool take on Ajax at Anfield in an attempt to win this match and ensure qualification to the Round of 16. A draw against Ajax will be enough to qualify if they can beat Ajax on goal difference on Matchday 6. Even if Ajax beat Liverpool this time, they will need to win their final match to qualify at the expense of Liverpool. It is expected that Atalanta will beat Midtjylland, but in the case they fail to defeat them, Liverpool will qualify with a draw since they have a superior goal difference.

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A lot of permutations going around alongside reality

Despite all these permutations going around, what must be noticed is form and momentum. Atalanta have beaten Liverpool at Anfield and will be full of confidence against Midtjylland. Midtjylland have lost their first matches and are the first team to be knocked out in the group stage. Ajax will be more confident seeing the injuries Liverpool have gone through and also their latest loss in European Football. This is where Liverpool come in as they are the best when they are in turmoil.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool once thrived on chaotic football as they always outscored their opponent. It wasn’t until the signing of Virgil Van Dijk did they sit back and defend to win games. Now they don’t have his services and half the team is injured. A return to chaotic football along with the supreme talent of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah along with Diogo Jota will spell doom for any team.

Ajax are no pushovers as they are free-scorers themselves and will not bend over for Liverpool. They will be a tough opponent to face as evidenced in the fixture in Netherlands. Daley Blind and Mohammed Kudus won’t be a part of this match with their injury and Liverpool would want to capitalise on that.

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It must be noted that Jurgen Klopp subbed off Mohamed Salah in the hour mark against Brighton in the weekend. He was very angry when he was subbed off and we know what Liverpool players do when they are angry. An angry Georiginio Wijnaldum scored two goals against Barcelona in what will be known as one of the most iconic comeback victories in all of history. Ajax will be better off if they concentrate on the Egyptian King before he rips them apart.

Injuries

Liverpool: Virgil Van Dijk, Trent Alexander Arnold, Joe Gomez, Thiago Alcantara, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, Xherdan Shaqiri, James Milner

Ajax: Daley Blind, Mohammed Kudus

Predicted Line-ups

Liverpool: Alisson; N Williams; Fabinho; Matip; Robertson; Jones; Henderson; Wijnaldum; Sadio Mane; Diogo Jota; Mohamed Salah

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Ajax: Onana; Mazraoui; Schuurs; Martinez; Tagliafico; Labyad; Klaassen; Gravenberch; Neres: Traore; Tadic

Predictions

As much as Ajax have all to play for, Liverpool will play this match like a final in order to treat Matchday 6 as a dead rubber and rest key players. Jurgen Klopp has been seething since the last three weeks and no one knows what he will do to this match. One thing is for sure, neutral fans can expect fireworks throughout the match.

We predict Liverpool winning this match 2-0 and ensuring qualification to the knockout stages.

Also read: Manchester United v PSG: Preview and Predictions

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