Preview: Ajax vs. Liverpool - prediction, team news, lineups
By Brett Curtis, Reporter | 1d
Ajax must beat Liverpool to remain in the Champions League when the two sides meet at the Johann Cruyff Arena on Wednesday.
A point would be good enough to see the Reds progress to the knockout stages with one match to spare, although Jurgen Klopp's side may require a victory if they are to stand a chance of overthrowing Napoli at the top of Group A.
After beating Rangers 4-0 in their opening match in the competition, Ajax appeared to have a decent chance of reaching the knockout stages this season.
However, three successive defeats have left Alfred Schreuder's side six points adrift of their forthcoming opponents Liverpool with two matches remaining, meaning that they must beat the 2018-19 champions and hope that Napoli do the same on the final matchday if they are to progress to the next round.
The reigning Eredivisie champions are at least back on track domestically after dropping five points in two matches either side of the international break, having smashed 15 goals past their opponents in their last three games to open up a four-point gap over PSV Eindhoven at the top of the table.
However, Wednesday's match feels like a huge test for Schreuder as he continues to prove that he is a worthy replacement for Erik ten Hag, having only previously had short spells with FC Twente, Hoffenheim and Club Brugge as a manager.
Beating Liverpool would undoubtedly be the club's most significant result since being a matter of seconds away from facing Klopp's side in the 2019 final before Lucas Moura's last-gasp winner sent Tottenham Hotspur through at their expense, and on current form there is no reason for the Dutch side to have any fear heading into the encounter.