Liverpool fell to Atalanta at home, 2-0, on matchday 4 of the Champions League. Jurgen Klopp’s side are winless in two straight games and have a difficult Champions League fixture against Ajax on Tuesday night.
The Reds are assured a place in the Europa League last 32, however, their aim is to top Group D. To win the group, Liverpool must get a result versus Ajax before their matchday 6 trip to Denmark to play Midtjylland.
Next up, @AFCAjax at Anfield ✨#LFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/kivHUMpQJ1— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 30, 2020
Next up, @AFCAjax at Anfield ✨#LFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/kivHUMpQJ1
Ajax’s 1-0 loss to Liverpool on matchday 1 was their only defeat to this point. They sit in second place in the group, level on seven points from 12 alongside Atalanta. Ajax are ahead of Atalanta thanks to their head-to-head away goals record.
When these teams met on matchday 1, a single goal separated them as Liverpool scored from a freak own goal. A Fabinho goal line clearance kept the game at 1-0, allowing Liverpool to win.
Klopp goes into the game with eight injuries. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Xherdan Shaqiri, Virgil van Dijk, Thiago Alcantara, and James Milner are all ruled out. Naby Keita is likely to miss the match as well.
The manager is likely to play Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum in central midfield with Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and in-form Diogo Jota as forwards. Klopp is likely to be forced to play Neco Williams at right-back once more.
Jota has proven himself to be the transfer of the summer. He has scored nine goals in 14 appearances in all competitions. He has four goals in four Champions League matches.
Eight straight Ajax games in all competitions finished without a defeat. They have not lost since playing Liverpool in early October. They warmed up for Liverpool with a 5-0 win against FC Emmen.
The Eredivisie is a far weaker defensive league than the Premier League. Ajax have only scored seven times in the Champions League and conceded five goals.
Ajax coach Erik ten Hag has just one injury issue going into the game. Mohammed Kudus is the only player ruled out and won’t return until January from a knee injury. Ajax forward Dusan Tadic leads the team with two Champions League goals.
Liverpool were beaten by a very defensively sound Atalanta on matchday 4 of the Champions League. Ajax should not be as defensively sound against Liverpool at Anfield. It isn’t in their mentality.
The Reds should exploit Ajax’s defence in a must-win home match on matchday 5. The front four could run wild with over 2.5 goals scored. Jota is in good form, so don’t be surprised if he gets his 10th goal of the term.