Champions League
2020-12-01 - Liverpool vs Ajax
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: European Champions League
Tuesday 1st December 2020 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Liverpool
There is clearly some unhappiness with the injuries that have been piling up at Liverpool, but Jurgen Klopp was reminded that he is perhaps blaming the wrong people for it at the end of the 1-1 draw with Brighton on Saturday. The manager does not have a lot of time to prepare for this important Champions League tie as Liverpool look to secure their place in the Last 16 without having to win a pressurised Match Day 6 fixture.
Last week Liverpool were surprisingly beaten 0-2 by Atlanta at Anfield in what was a poor performance, although they are still in control of the Group with a 2 point lead over the Italians and Ajax. However the Group will look markedly different if Liverpool were to lose this fixture so there is some pressure on the home team. The Reds have only won 1 of their last 4 home Champions League games.
Liverpool conceded late in the 1-1 draw at Brighton, but The Seagulls arguably deserved more than a point and it means this team have won 1 of their last 4 games in all competitions. They had won 4 in a row at Anfield in all competitions before the 0-2 defeat to Atalanta and there is some pressure to produce a big performance on Tuesday.
Naby Keita is a doubt, but Joel Matip is expected to take his place at centre half. James Milner is the latest player to join the ever increasing injury list at Liverpool.
Ajax
Back to back wins over Midtjylland have reinvigorated Ajax in this Group and they are unbeaten in 3 in the section. However there is no doubt the challenge still in front of Ajax to return to the Knock Out Stages of the Champions League as they try and see off either Liverpool or Atalanta in the Group.
A home win on Match Day 6 will take Ajax through to the Last 16 of the Champions League regardless of the results earned this week, but they should still be highly motivated to keep their unbeaten run going in the competition. Since losing to Liverpool at home, Ajax have picked up 7 points from a possible 9, while they are unbeaten in 17 away Champions League games going into Match Day 5.
Ajax have worked their way back to the top of the Eredivisie and they are unbeaten in 8 in all competitions while winning 7 of those games including the last 6 in a row. They have won 4 of their last 5 away games in all competitions and Ajax have scored at least twice in all of those fixtures which makes them dangerous.
Daley Bling was injured last week and he is a doubt for this one.
Head to Head
Liverpool won 0-1 at Ajax on Match Day 1 of the Group Stage.
Liverpool have only hosted Ajax once before despite both clubs having deep European history. That previous fixture was played in December 1966 and ended 2-2.
Prediction
This Group looked to be largely in Liverpool's control after winning their opening 3 games, but the 0-2 defeat to Atalanta last week has just opened the door to the Italian club and Ajax.
It would still be a big surprise if Liverpool were to not find their way into the Last 16, but they may simply need to beat Midtjylland on Match Day 6 in a game that is going to be played on a neutral field.
However at the moment Liverpool look to be struggling for the kind of consistency they will need to get through a very hectic festive period. Injuries have piled up and they were fortunate to earn a 1-1 draw with Brighton this past weekend and I do think Ajax can head to this part of the north west of England and feel confident in their ability to earn a result.
Ajax have been very strong travellers in the Champions League and in recent memory they have won at Tottenham Hotspur and drawn with Chelsea. They will believe they have the kind of attacking philosophy which can see them get after this Liverpool defence which is missing some key players and I do think the visiting team will cause problems for Liverpool.
You can't underestimate how well Liverpool can play at home, but they won't be receiving a boost from the stands until this weekend at the earliest. It is also worth noting that Liverpool have won 1 of their last 4 Champions League games at Anfield and I do think Ajax can play their part in this fixture and perhaps even earn a surprise result.
The reality is that a draw won't be the worst result for Liverpool as they will remain in control of winning this Group with a single fixture left to play. At this moment I do think Jurgen Klopp is just trying to find a way to get his squad through matches and that means they are unlikely to blow away Ajax who have been unbeaten in 17 away Champions League games.
The visitors have been in good form domestically which should mean they come in with plenty of confidence and I think they can be backed with the start on the Asian Handicap. It will mean the stake will be returned if Ajax are eventually narrowly beaten, but I do think they can earn a big result here on the current form of both teams.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Liverpool 1-1 Ajax
