With Liverpool resulting from host Ajax within the Champions League on Tuesday evening, they arrive up in opposition to a facet in imperious kind within the Eredivisie, having simply gained 5-0.
It’s protected to say that Ajax have a monopoly over the Dutch prime flight, successful six of the previous 10 titles together with every of the final three.
They haven’t typically been in a position to translate that success to Europe, nevertheless, bowing out of the group stage in two of the previous three seasons and within the spherical of 16 final outing.
In reality, the one time previously 20 years they’ve made it past the final 16 was in 2018/19, after they suffered a last-minute defeat to Tottenham within the semi-finals, forward of Liverpool’s triumph in Madrid.
Below new administration in Alfred Schreuder, although, they are going to be seeking to inflict a second straight defeat on the Reds in Group A, after they go to Anfield on Tuesday.
The sport continues to be anticipated to go forward regardless of latest postponements within the UK as a result of Queen’s passing, and Ajax will arrive on Merseyside in glorious kind.
Saturday night introduced their seventh straight win in all competitions and, securing a 5-0 victory over SC Heerenveen, their fifth consecutive clear sheet.
Schreuder made a single change from the 4-0 thrashing of Rangers within the opening recreation of the Champions League, with Davy Klaassen coming in for Steven Berghuis in a three-man midfield.
It was Klaassen who opened the scoring, heading residence from shut vary following Dusan Tadic’s cutback and cross, with the ex-Southampton playmaker additionally establishing the second as Kenneth Taylor curled residence a intelligent free-kick routine.
Tadic’s nook precipitated the difficulty that led to Ajax’s third, too, with striker Mohammed Kudus ultimately turning and firing residence within the throng.
Kudus made it 4-0 quickly after, as Jorge Sanchez broke via and laid the ball throughout the face of aim for a easy end, earlier than Tadic acquired his third help of the evening.
It was arguably his most interesting, too, with a deft move for Brian Brobbey showcasing his means to chop via defences at will.
Liverpool are, in fact, accustomed to Tadic from his time within the Premier League, however he has stepped up a gear since leaving Southampton for Ajax in 2018.
Sporting the captain’s armband, the 33-year-old pulls the strings for the Amsterdam membership, and Jurgen Klopp‘s backroom shall be protecting a detailed eye on his recreation within the buildup to Tuesday’s conflict.
Ajax XI vs. SC Heereveen: Pasveer; Rensch (Sanchez 46′), Timber, Bassey, Blind; Alvarez (Brobbey 60′), Klaassen, Taylor (Berghuis 67′); Tadic, Bergwijn (Grillitsch 60′), Kudus (Ocampos 72′)
Subs not used: Stekelenburg, Kaplan, Gorter, Lucca, Baas, Magallan
