Liverpool collected all three points on Champions League matchday 1 against Ajax thanks to one of the most bizarre own goals in tournament history. Now, Jurgen Klopp’s side host Denmark’s Midtjylland on Tuesday night seeking a second straight win.
The Reds are coming off of a 2-1 come from behind win in the Premier League versus Sheffield United. The victory pushed the Reds into second place in the league and a title fight for the second straight season in England is on.
Midtjylland are atop the Danish Super Liga table with 13 points from 18 possible. The team are playing well domestically, however, their Champions League matchday 1 result showed how far off the rest of the group they currently are.
The Danes were thrashed 4-0 by Serie A team Atalanta on matchday 1. Liverpool and last season’s quarterfinalists Atalanta are expected to finish one and two in Group D.
Liverpool were not at their best against a very good Ajax team. Virgil van Dijk’s absence was not an issue, however. Centre-back pairing Fabinho and Joe Gomez have played well together. Gomez has looked more comfortable next to Fabinho than when played with Van Dijk.
Klopp is hoping for good news on the injury front. He got first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker back at the weekend, which was a huge boost. Van Dijk, Kostas Tsimikas, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all out of action through their various injuries.
Thiago Alcantara could start as well as Joel Matip. Both players would give Klopp the chance to rotate his team during a very busy time period.
Against Sheffield United on Saturday night, Klopp completely changed his formation. He went from the preferred attacking 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1. Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum sat at the base of midfield to protect Fabinho and Gomez.
Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota played on the wings while Mohamed Salah was often the central striker (although he and Mane rotated). Roberto Firmino played more as a hybrid No. 10. Klopp will most likely select the same formation in midweek to protect the back four.
Midtjylland will be up against it versus the Reds. On paper, Liverpool should ease to victory and look far more confident than they did versus Ajax. That Ajax game came just days after Van Dijk was lost to injury.
Now, with more time to prepare and train without the Dutchman, Liverpool should be far more assured going into Champions League matchday 2. Like on Saturday night, the Reds should get a win and potentially, move to the top of Group D.