Champions League team news and prediction: Ajax vs Liverpool
Liverpool and Ajax are remarkably set to meet off for the first time since 1966 as both target winning starts to their Champions League campaign.
Ahead of their meeting in Amsterdam, we have all your need-to-know match information in one place, including team news, probable XIs and where you can watch Jurgen Klopp's side.
When is kick off?
Wednesday 21st October, 20:00 GMT
Where is the match?
Johan Cruijff Arena, Amsterdam
Where can I watch it?
BT Sport 2
How they qualified
Liverpool went straight into Pot 1 for the Champions League draw after romping to their first ever Premier League title last season. Jurgen Klopp's side astonishingly finished 18 points clear of Manchester City to end their 30-year wait for a league title.
The Eredivisie decided to curtail the 2019/20 early with as many as 26 games played as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. Ajax were top of the table, level on points with AZ Alkmaar, at the point the league was cancelled but denied the title. Nevertheless, they went into the Champions League group stage as a Pot 2 team.
Team News
Ajax have lost star winger Antony to injury on the eve of their clash with Liverpool in a hammer blow to the home side. The 20-year-old has started the campaign in terrific form with three goals in five league appearances and is now set to be replaced by fellow Brazilian David Neres. The Dutch side have no other notable absentees but Erik ten Hag may well be concerned by Daley Blind's lack of pace at the back up against Liverpool's devastating attack.
This is Liverpool's first game since Virgil van Dijk's season-ending knee injury at the weekend and Jurgen Klopp is also set to be without Joel Matip through injury. Fabinho will be required in defence as a result, while no risks are set to be taken with Alisson or Thiago. Both are on their way back from injuries and are expected to remain in England in midweek. Naby Ketia is at least back for the away side and is expected to challenge for a starting spot in midfield, though James Milner is another option.
Probable XIs:
Ajax (4231): Onana; Mazraoui, Schuurs, Blind, Tagliafico; Gravenberch, Alvarez; Neres, Kudus, Tadic; Labyad
Liverpool (433): Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Fabinho, Robertson; Milner, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Salah
Key Battle: Dusan Tadic vs Mo Salah
Ajax are knitting together another hugely exciting group of young players but Dusan Tadic remains their key man in attack, particularly with Antony missing for the home side. Tadic has been a revelation for Ajax since joining from Southampton in 2018, remarkably involved in 84 goals in as many league and European appearances for the club. The 31-year-old notably scored 10 goals in Ajax's surprise run to the Champions League semi-finals in his first season.
While Ajax will be heavily reliant on the former Southampton man, Liverpool are blessed with frightening attacking options across their front line. Mo Salah remains the standout performer for the Premier League champions and the Egypt international has started the campaign in fine form with six goals in five league appearances. His pace could seriously expose Ajax at the back, particularly if former Manchester United defender Daley Blind starts on his side.
