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Liverpool need a win to qualify for this season’s Champions League knockout stages. But to achieve the goal against Ajax is not easy.
The crazy fixture schedule is making It difficult for Liverpool. Manager Klopp was so stressed that every press conference he had complained about the fixture schedule and decided not to let the teams replace the five of the Premier League. Last weekend, Klopp again criticised the fixture schedule from the NHA competition by arranging Liverpool to play Saturday despite having just one Champions League game on Thursday night.
The game against Brighton last weekend was even more infuriated for Klopp. Liverpool were denied two goals by the VAR and then suffered a late penalty. Brighton striker Welbeck himself admitted it was a sensitive situation.
As such, Liverpool have won only one of their last four games in all competitions. However, the Kop has lost only one of its last 10 matches. It was a 0–2 defeat to Atalanta at Anfield in the previous match.
Overall, the loss to the Italian representatives was not too expensive for Liverpool as they needed only one win to advance to the Champions League knockout stages. For one thing, Klopp’s men still have to work hard in the last two legs, a bit too much for the squad that is being stretched by injuries.
Atalanta are expected to beat group winners Midtjylland in the rest of Group D. That put even more pressure on Ajax in tonight’s away trip to Anfield. The Dutch side’s fulcfulcil is steady form with six consecutive wins in all competitions and 23 goals scored.
Ajax are also unbeaten in their last 11 Champions League away games. The Dutch giants are also unbeaten in their last five away trips to English clubs, most recently a 4-4 draw with Chelsea. These are all clear indications of a tough game for Liverpool tonight.
Predicted line-up
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