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

Off the back of a deflating domestic defeat, Liverpool visit Amsterdam to take on Ajax, who are in desperate need of a win to keep their Champions League qualification hopes alive.

Back-to-back defeats against the rampaging group leaders Napoli have put the Dutch champions in a do-or-die situation, as nothing but all three points against the Reds will do.

Alfred Schreuder’s men have built momentum over their last two games, recording back-to-back Eredivisie wins against Excelsior and RKC Waalwijk by a combined scoreline of 11-2.

While those wins will prove a huge confidence booster for De Godenzonen, the quality in their next opposition will differ enormously on Wednesday night, having lost the first leg of this clash.

Mohamed Salah and Mohammed Kudus cancelled each other out in the first half, but Joel Matip’s late header ensured victory for Jurgen Klopp’s side at Anfield.

With six points separating both sides, Ajax must beat the 2018/19 champions and hope that Napoli do the same on the final matchday if they are to progress to the next round.

While Ajax will be scrambling for a win on home soil, Liverpool enter the tie knowing a draw would be enough to secure passage into the knockout rounds.

Liverpool looked to have turned a corner, having beaten Manchester City and West Ham United in the past week.

However, they took a backwards step after succumbing to a 1-0 defeat at the expense of a rejuvenated Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday.

While Liverpool’s display in the Midlands was not terrible, the highlight of their performance was arguably their profligacy in front of goal.

Not taking their chances is a luxury the Anfield club cannot afford on Wednesday night, but they were in poor form before winning the first leg, so they will feel confident enough to see off Ajax.

Match Preview

Ajax

After beating Rangers 4-0 in their opening match in the competition, Ajax appeared to have a decent chance of reaching the knockout stages this season.

However, having lost three consecutive Champions League games, their chances of progression look very slim.

All or nothing will do for Schreuder’s men but having lost their last three meetings with Liverpool, the Reds could become only the third club in history Ajax have lost 4+ in a row against, after losing four times against Juventus (1997 – 2004) and seven vs Real Madrid (2010 – 2019).

Ajax’s record against English clubs does little to suggest they have what it takes to usurp the Reds as they have won just one of their last eight home European matches against teams from there (D1, L6) – their only win came against Manchester City in October 2012.

Mohammed Kudus has scored in both of Ajax’s home Champions League games this season and could become only the third player to score in three consecutive home appearances for Ajax in the competition after Zlatan Ibrahimovic (2002) and Sébastien Haller (2021).

Liverpool

A point will be enough to see the Reds progress to the knockout stage with one match to spare, although Klopp’s side may require a victory if they are to stand a chance of overthrowing Napoli at the summit of Group A.

A win or a draw will also mean they have progressed from their group in all six campaigns in the competition under Klopp, which will be their longest-ever run of consecutive qualifications.

Liverpool won their last away match against Ajax in October 2020, courtesy of a Nicolas Tagliafico own goal. But their only other visit saw them lose 5-1 in the European Cup in December 1966.

Salah has scored 41 goals in the Champions League and is just three short of the most by an African player in the competition’s history (Didier Drogba, 44).

The Egyptian has scored five goals in his last three Champions League games and could score in four straight appearances in the competition for just a second time, only previously doing so in April 2021.

Ajax vs Liverpool Predicted Line-ups

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

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil Van Dijk, Andrew Robertson; Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara; Harvey Elliott, Roberton Firmino, Darwin Nunez; Mohamed Salah.

How to Watch?

Ajax vs Liverpool, 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 UCL game, see our Champions League tickets page for more information.

Ajax vs Liverpool Prediction

We expect a fiercely competitive game on Wednesday, with both teams needing a positive result to boost their chances of progressing to the knockout stages. But Liverpool should have enough to see off Ajax.

Ajax 1-2 Liverpool