Six-time European Cup winners Liverpool will welcome four-time winners Ajax to Anfield this Tuesday in the second group round of the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League campaign.
Venue: Anfield (Liverpool)
Key Statistics
Liverpool have finished top of their UCL group in the last three seasons.
The Reds have lost their opening home game only twice in their last 46 European campaigns (W35, D9).
They have lost only once to teams from the Netherlands (W10, D5).
Jurgen Klopp’s men are unbeaten in their last ten home games in all competitions (W7, D3).
Ajax have won their last seven competitive games.
They have kept five consecutive clean sheets.
The visitors have only lost one of their last 16 away UCL matches, although that was a 1-0 defeat at Anfield in December 2020.
They have lost four of their last five meetings against English teams (D1).
Head to head
In four UCL meetings between both sides, Liverpool have two wins and one draw while Ajax have one win.
Latest performances in all competitions
Liverpool: L-D-W-W-L
Ajax: W-W-W-W-W
Liverpool
Liverpool will look to return to winning ways when they welcome Ajax to Anfield on Tuesday.
The Reds were utterly demolished by Napoli in their opening game of the Champions League campaign. Luciano Spalletti’s team ran riot against Jurgen Klopp’s team in typical Liverpool style, outplaying their opponents in all areas and causing seasoned defenders Joe Gomez and Van Dijk all sorts of problems repeatedly.
The loss handed Jurgen Klopp his second loss of the season and extended the Reds’ winless streak to two. The death of Queen Elizabeth II brought the EPL to a halt and the event may well be a blessing in disguise for the German tactician as his team have had more time to rest and train to correct the mistakes that have plagued them this season and were laid bare in Naples. Having started the game against Napoli without first-choice midfielder Thiago Alcantara, the extra week of rest for the midfield maestro and Joel Matip also who both came on as a substitute against Spalletti’s men.
The introduction of the duo made the difference against Napoli, as the Cameroonian defender brought calm at the back and the Spanish midfielder pulled the strings from the middle of the park. Manager Jurgen Klopp will be counting heavily on both players and his team once more, as they look to bounce back from their humiliating defeat.
Possible Liverpool starting line-up
Alisson Becker; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Fabinho, Harvey Elliot, Thiago Alcantara; Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino.
Injured: Ibrahima Konate, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, Calvin Ramsay, Jordan Henderson, Curtis Jones
Doubtful: Caoimhin Kelleher, Fabio Carvalho
Suspended: None
Ajax
Ajax come into this encounter in imperious form. With seven wins in their last seven games, the Dutch champions are one of the most in-form teams across Europe.
Alfred Schreuder picked up right from where Erik Ten Hag left the Eredivisie champions and has started his tenure with a bang.
De Godenzonen secured a 4-0 win over Rangers in round one of the Champions League season last week to go top of Group A. Another dominant win over VV Heerenveen last weekend means that Ajax come into this game the better of the two teams in terms of momentum.
With 25 goals in all competitions, Ajax boasts a better xG than four of the leading teams in Europe’s top five leagues excluding PSG, and such attacking impetus will only reinforce the hopes of head coach Alfred Schreuder when he takes his team to Anfield.
But with zero wins in their last two encounters against the Reds, the Dutch Champions have their work cut out for them.
Possible Ajax starting line-up
Remko Pasveer; Devyne Rensch, Jurrien Timber, Calvin Bassey, Daley Blind; Dusan Tadic, Edson Álvarez, Davy Klaassen; Steven Berghuis, Brian Brobbey, Steven Bergwijn.
Injured: Owen Wijndal
Doubtful: Calvin Bassey
Suspended: None
Prediction
Liverpool 2-1 Ajax
