ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL – Joel Matip scored a late goal to give Liverpool a 2-1 win over Ajax at Anfield.
The Reds looked to be heading for a disastrous home game after Mohamed Quds’ thunderous strike canceled out Mohamed Salah’s first-half opener.
However, Matip headed home from a corner in the 89th minute to send Anfield wild and seal a 4-1 defeat at Napoli in their Group A opener. With no Premier League games to spare last weekend, Kl opp’s struggling men will be hoping results and improved form can lead to a good start to the season.
Liverpool vs. Ajax
line Klopp has been hit this week by Andy Robertson’s injury, meaning Kostas Tsimikas starts at left-back.
Thiago Alcântara and Joel Matip also return, with Diogo Jota ahead of Darwin Núñez in the central attack.
The UEFA Champions League returns to action this week with another round of games as Liverpool host Ajax on Tuesday, September 13. Both teams have endured a disappointing start to the campaign and will look to win this game.
Ajax is currently at the top of the Redivide and has an unbeaten record so far this season. The Dutch outfit beat Heerenveen 5-0 at the weekend and will be confident ahead of this game. Liverpool, on the other hand, is currently seventh in the league table and has failed to live up to expectations this season. The Merseyside giants were beaten 4-1 by Napoli on an opening day and will need to bounce back this week.
Liverpool vs Ajax Head-to-Head
Compared to Ajax Liverpool have a good record and has won two of the four matches played between the two teams. Ajax has just one win against Liverpool and will be looking at things on Tuesday.
The last meeting between the 2 teams happened in 2020 and resulted in a victory for Liverpool with the sale of 1-0. Ajax gave a good account of themselves today and will be looking to prove their mettle this week.
Liverpool
Liverpool is currently facing several injury problems with Ibrahima Konate, Kurtis Jones, Calvin Ramsay and Jordan Henderson. However, the biggest blow will be the absence of Andy Robertson, who picked up a knee injury late on against Napoli. He will be off after the international break.
Fabio Carvalho and Caoimhin Kelleher are also struggling with fitness and will not be in the game. Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are out with long-term injuries.
Injuries: Ibrahima Konate, Kurtis Jones, Calvin Ramsey, Jordan Henderson, Andy Robertson, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Ajax
Owen Wijndal has made progress with his recovery but looks unlikely to play a role this week. Mohamed Ihattaren is not available so he will not be included in the squad.
Injuries: 0
Prediction Liverpool vs Ajax
Liverpool has been awful this season and was caught defensively by Napoli last week. Jürgen Klopp has worked for him this season and faces a formidable opponent on Tuesday.
Ajax can pack a punch on their day and are in good form in this game. Both the teams are currently tied and can play for a draw in this match.
Liverpool bounced back to beat Ajax thanks to Joel Matip’s winner
Jürgen Klopp’s first European night at Anfield was marked by a late winner from the centre-back, who was sent off for the break. In 2022, if Ajax can’t be with Dortmund in 2016, Joel Matip’s decision could be as important as Dejan Lovren’s against his old employer Kl opp six years ago.
After the worst display in their history and a nightmare in Naples, Liverpool demanded a response and a victory.
Increase energy and organization, individual and collective. But AJAX will have the opinion that the result could have been more damaging than Napoli’s legal woes until Ajax was forced to focus on one thing… Until Matip met Kostas Tsimikas’ corner for a slot header past Remko Pasveer and disappointment was replaced by celebration.
Matip’s Champions League campaign began with damage-limiting training in a 3-0 drubbing at Napoli to try and avoid a more embarrassing account. Now, on the other hand, Liverpool has saved two points.
One reason for Klopp, maybe. He brought four players to the side. Each of them played their role. Matip scored, Tsimikas and Diogo Jota had assists and Tiago Alcántara provided a loan. They all play well with each other. Liverpool did that, although it wasn’t perfect. On a day of 23 shots, they scored the second goal to keep the two boxes out of sight.
