Liverpool vs Ajax Preview – Prediction, how to watch & potential line-ups

Liverpool will look to shake off their opening-day disappointment in the Champions League when they welcome an in-form Ajax to Anfield on Tuesday.

Jurgen Klopp’s side lacked a spark in their Group A curtain raiser as they suffered a 4-1 humiliation at the hands of Luciano Spalleti’s Napoli.

Liverpool, who were beaten by Real Madrid in the Champions League final in France, are looking to have another crack at winning the competition after beating Tottenham Hotspur in the 2019 final. 

However, they have not started the campaign in inspiring form. 

Following a seven-match winning streak to start the new season, Klopp’s side will be in for another daunting challenge when Ajax visit Anfield.

Led by new boss Alfred Schreuder, Ajax have kept their foot on the gas, winning six Eredivisie games from six, despite losing several first-team stars and their former manager Erik ten Hag. 

They have also scored 25 goals and conceded just three times, including a rampant 4-0 thrashing of Rangers in their opening Champions League group game.

The arrivals of Steven Bergwijn, Calvin Bassey, Brian Brobbey, Owen Wijndal and Lucas Ocampos have given them strength in depth. They will aim to usurp Liverpool and progress as table-toppers. 

Match Preview

Liverpool 

Liverpool have never begun a Champions League campaign with back-to-back losses, and the Anfield crowd will take solace in those statistics as their side prepare to welcome Ajax.

The postponement of their Premier League clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers could be a blessing in disguise.

It gives Klopp more time to analyse his side’s abominable performance in Naples and deduce a plan to stop Schreuder’s rampant Ajax.

The Reds are on a ten-match unbeaten run at Anfield in all competitions since Inter Milan’s inconsequential 1-0 success on Merseyside last season. 

However, records are there to be broken, and Klopp’s side will be aware of the threat Ajax carries.

Ajax

The Eredivisie champions will be brimming with confidence after their midweek 4-0 success over Rangers.

There have been no signs of a post-Erik ten Hag hangover for the Dutch champions this season, as they extended their winning streak to seven matches with a 5-0 Eredivisie thrashing of Heerenveen at the weekend.

Ajax have also kept five clean sheets on the bounce in all competitions ahead of Tuesday’s crunch clash. 

They have only been beaten twice in their last 25 away matches in European competitions, with their most recent loss coming at Anfield in 2020.

Liverpool vs Ajax Potential Line-ups

Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Andrew Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Trent Alexander-Arnold; Thiago Alcantara, Fabinho, Harvey Elliott; Luis Diaz, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah.

Ajax (4-3-3): Remko Pasveer, Devyne Rensch, Jurrien Timber, Calvin Bassey, Daley Blind; Kenneth Taylor, Edson Alvarez, Davy Klaassen, Steven Bergwijn, Dusan Tadic, Mohammed Kudus.

How to Watch?

Liverpool vs Ajax, alongside all other matches in Europe’s most prestigious club competition this season, is available to watch online via Champions League live streams.

And if you are interested in attending a future Champions League game, see our Champions League tickets page for more information.

Liverpool vs Ajax Prediction

The postponement of Premier League games as a mark of respect for the Queen’s death could play into Liverpool’s hands as they now have more time to prepare for Schreuder’s side.

Both sides are evenly matched and may settle for a draw at Anfield, ending Ajax’s seven-match winning streak in all competitions this season.

Liverpool 2-2 Ajax