Liverpool welcome Ajax to Anfield in Group A of 2022-23 UEFA Champions League.
Victory could see Liverpool climb to the top of Group A if Napoli lose at Rangers, whilst Ajax could stay top if they win and also better Napoli’s result if the Italian club beat Rangers on Wednesday evening in their delayed meeting.
Team News
Fabio Carvalho could return for Liverpool after he missed their 4-1 defeat at Napoli last week with a dead leg.
Andrew Robertson is ruled out until October with a knock he suffered in their loss at Napoli.
Caoimhin Kelleher (groin), Ibrahima Konate (knee), Curtis Jones (leg), Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (both hamstring), Naby Keita and Calvin Ramsay (both unspecified) remain ruled out.
Ajax have no fresh injury concerns to report as Owen Wijndal remains absent with an ankle injury.
Stat Attack
- Liverpool are unbeaten in three of four previous meetings against Ajax in UEFA’s top-flight competition – including when formerly known as European Cup. (W2, D1, L1)
- Ajax are winless in two previous visits to Anfield (D1, L1).
- Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have won both clashes against Ajax under the current Champions League era by 1-0 results during Group Stage in 2020-21 season (W2).
- Liverpool scored in five of their last six home matches in the Champions League (W4, D1, L1), only failing to do so in a 1-0 defeat against Inter Milan in March 2022.
- Ajax have scored 16 goals in their last five matches in all competitions without conceding.
Prediction
Having enjoyed a miserable start to the season, Liverpool simply need to maximise the slice of sad but fortunate luck handed to them by their domestic postponement at the weekend and reset after last week’s defensive shambles which lacked motivation or basic defending to say the least.
Ajax on the other hand were absolutely clinical and relentless in their attacking press to rip Rangers’ defence to shreds, plus their current momentum means that Jurgen Klopp’s Reds can’t afford to underestimate them if they’re to stand any chance of progressing.
Throw in the fact that wins for Ajax plus Napoli in matchweek would leave Liverpool with a six-point deficit after two group matches, then this is seriously a must-win for the hosts but if their defence is still as bad as it was in Napoli then I can see another thrashing heading their way.
Anfield though should provide Liverpool with home comforts given how the ground has often been their fortress, so I do expect a decent display but something in me feels like Ajax will spring a surprise and get an unexpected first victory at Anfield.
Prediction: Liverpool 1-2 Ajax
Result: Liverpool 2-1 Ajax