The Reds head to the Johan Cruyff ArenA for only the second time in their history and the first time with a packed crowd, setting the stage for what is likely to be a grand occasion. Jürgen Klopp’s men eked out a well-earned injury-time win when the sides faced each other at Anfield back in September, and the expectation is that things will be no less challenging this time around.
While a draw will guarantee the Reds’ advancement to the next round of the competition, Ajax has to win or be relegated to the Europa League. De Godenzonen should be in good spirits, coming into the match off three straight league wins in which they’ve accumulated 15 goals to maintain their lead at the top of the Eredivisie table.
Kenneth Taylor and Devyne Rensch are likely to participate but could miss out through injury, but top scorers, Steven Bergwijn, Mohamed Kudus, and Brian Brobbey should all be fit to feature.
For the Reds, Joël Matip remains unavailable, while Ibrahima Konaté is fit to play if unlikely to feature from the start. As such, a backline of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, and Andy Robertson seems likely.
In midfield, Thiago will be sidelined with a knock. At the same time, Naby Keïta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are ineligible to play as they’ve not been included in the Reds’ Champions League squad for the group stage. Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, and Harvey Elliott are a plausible midfield constellation.
