Liverpool get their Champions League campaign off the mark this evening, but will face Ajax with some injury worries.
Joel Matip and Thiago picked up injuries against Everton at the weekend, with Matip going for a precautionary scan on Monday for a muscle problem.
They join Alisson and Virgil van Dijk, who are already on the sidelines.
We’ll have team news for you shortly as we build up to the 8pm kick-off. You can get in touch through the comment section below or send a tweet to @sinead_farrell7
As expected, Gomez and Fabinho link up in defence for Liverpool
🔴 TEAM NEWS 🔴
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 21, 2020
Here’s how we line-up for tonight’s trip to @AFCAjax 👊 #AJALIV
And here’s how Ajax will line up
Ladies and gentlemen,
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) October 21, 2020
Our team to face @LFC! ❌❌❌#UCL #ajaliv pic.twitter.com/azm5AxxFIF
To see those team line-ups in text:
Ajax: Onana; Mazraoui, Schuurs, Blind, Tagliafico; Klaassen, Kudus, Martínez; Gravenberch, Tadic, Neres.
Liverpool: Adrián; Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Gomez, Robertson; Milner, Jones, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Sadio Mané.
The Johan Cruyff arena ahead of kick-off
Kick-off is on the way, how do you see this going?
Poll Results:
Kick-Off: Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
Liverpool start brightly, with Milner venturing down the wing. He whips the ball across to try and create an early chance for the visitors but the ball is booted out.
Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
Poor clearance from Martínez offers a handy throw-in for Liverpool. They make little of the opportunity as the ball ends up going out over the opposite sideline.
Kudus sits down on the surface due to injury and is receiving treatment on the pitch.
Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
Kudus is forced to make way and Ajax bring in Quincy Promes as his replacement.
Liverpool are spreading the play out wide, playing with a slow tempo but are enjoying more of the possession in the opening 10 minutes.
Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
Ajax create the first real chance of the game. Good defensive play from Fabinho averts the danger and Liverpool quickly go on the counter.
The ball comes up to Mane, who tries the drill the ball at the Ajax goal. But his attempt is blocked and he fails to pounce in time to gather the rebound.
Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
Nervy moment from Liverpool keeper Adrian as Tadic rushes in and blocks down a clearance.
Jurgen Klopp’s men deal with it, but the hosts have a corner.
Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
Another close call!
Tadic delivers a perfect ball into the Liverpool box. Martinez rises highest to get a header off, but Adrian adjusts easily to gather the effort in his chest.
Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
Tadic causing lots of problems for Liverpool.
Their new-look defence is coming under pressure and does not look convincing. Tadic slips the ball through to Tagliafico in the box.
Adrian holds back rather than diving in and risking a penalty. The move comes to nothing but Klopp is livid on the sideline.
Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
WIDE!
Gravenberch is inches away from breaking the deadlock for Ajax.
Promes slips the ball to him in the centre to unleash a powerful shot from outside the box that barely drifts past the wrong side of the post.
Liverpool struggling to advance forward with any real intent at the moment.
Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
Better from Liverpool.
Mane tries to slip a clever pass in behind for Milner to latch onto in the Ajax area, but the ball is cut out.
The ball eventually comes to the youngster Curtis Jones but he fouls Blind while in possession and a free is awarded.
Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
Good goalkeeping from Adrian to punch the ball clear from an attempted delivery.
Liverpool advance well up the pitch and the ball comes to Robertson who cuts the ball across but Ajax keeper Onana gets down well to end the attack.
Tadic stands over a free-kick at the other end but the ball bounces straight into Adrian.
Ajax 0-0 Liverpool
Great save!
Much better spell for Adrian as he keeps out a point blank shot from Promes. The substitute may have been offside, but the flag never came as the Liverpool keeper keeps out the effort.
GOAL! Ajax 0-1 Liverpool (Tagliafico OG ’35)
Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
Disaster for Ajax after such a promising start. A shot from Mane should have been dealt with by the Ajax defender, but his attempt to kick it clear ends up in the net and Liverpool take the lead.
Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
Salah comes close to doubling Liverpool’s lead but his shot is blocked away. Klopp’s side growing in confidence now since picking up that fortuitous goal with half-time approaching.
Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
Some more assured play from Adrian to come out and punch the ball away to safety.
The Premier League outfit will feel much better heading into half-time after taking control of the game in the last few minutes.
Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
CLOSE!
Tadic tries to chip Adrian and loops the ball over the keeper’s head off his left foot. But Fabinho does brilliantly to sprint in for a goal line clearance. The replay shows that he got in before the ball crossed the line.
Brilliant defending.
Half-Time: Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
It was a bizarre goal but good forward play from Mane
Liverpool lead in Amsterdam! 🔴
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) October 21, 2020
Brilliant turn from Sadio Mané, a not so brilliant shot but it was turned into his own net by Tagliafico!#UCL | #VMSport pic.twitter.com/wEZ8sOwwP2
Super defensive play from Fabinho to keep out Tadic’s chip
FABINHO! 👏
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) October 21, 2020
Fabulous defending from the Brazilian!#UCL | #VMSport pic.twitter.com/x7yQm6vOdv
Second Half: Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
Jordan Henderson has been brought on for Jones as the second half gets underway.
Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
POST!
What a shot from Klaassen. He absolutely riffled that effort at the Liverpool goal and easily beats Adrian. But Liverpool are saved by the woodwork.
Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
Roberto Firmino hits the deck, pleading for a penalty. The referee is not one bit interested and quickly waves play on for an Ajax goal-kick.
As Virgin Media co-commentator Brian Kerr puts it, “he shouldn’t be diving.”
Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
Three quick corners from Liverpool fail to bring about any product. Fabinho gets his head on the first one and Onana mistimes his run off the goal-line as the ball drifts wide.
Firmino gets off a header too but it’s well off target.
Ajax try to pounce as they work the ball up to Promes who gets his shot on target but Adrian does well to parry the ball away.
Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
Liverpool triple substitution.
Klopp is clearly not happy with his side’s display as he whips off Salah, Firmino and Mane. Minamino, Jota and Shaqiri all come in.
Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
Mane is getting some ice treatment, which would suggest he was withdrawn with an injury. He’s been Liverpool’s standout player tonight, along with Fabinho.
Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
Good work from Alexander-Arnold to shadow Tadic and force him out over the endline for a goal-kick.
Henderson went down for a few seconds with an apparent injury but he’s back up and running again.
Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
Nice linkup play between Minamino and Shaqiri to force a corner. Shaqiri takes it but Liverpool fail to get anything out of it.
Jota gets in on the act shortly after and tries to release a shot at goal. Another corner follows and a Wijnaldum header comes close to getting Liverpool’s second goal.
Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
Two big chances for Liverpool.
Jota does well to pounce on a defensive mistake. Onana comes out as far as the halfway line to try and thump the ball away but the Liverpool sub gets to it first and puts the ball through, but loses out in the foot race for possession.
Another opportunity comes moments later as the ball comes across the Ajax goal. Robertson tries to slide in and connect with it, but fails to finish the ball to the net.
Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
Liverpool launch a good counter attack. It comes to the foot of Jota who gets two bites of the cherry but Ajax manage to hold on and clear their lines.
We’re in for a tense final five minutes of normal time.
Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
SAVE!
Jota puts Wijnaldum through but Onana gets his foot out to block the low shot away. Five minutes of added time to be played as Milner makes way for Rhys Williams.
Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
MISS!
Ekkelenkamp wastes a brilliant chance to nab a late equaliser for Ajax after Adrian fails to clear the ball away.
Full-Time: Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
It wasn’t the most convincing display from Jurgen Klopp’s side, but they start their Group D campaign with a win over Ajax.
Horrible memory for Tagliafico as his own-goal was the only score of the night, although Ajax certainly had their chances to equalise. Tadic had a goal-bound shot saved off the line by Fabinho.
Klassen was unfortunate to see his second-half shot come clattering back off the post while Ekkelenkamp had a late opportunity for Ajax. But his attempt sailed over the crossbar.
Ajax 0-1 Liverpool
Well, that’s all from me, folks. Thanks for dropping in to follow our coverage. Stick around for the match report and we hope to have you with us again soon.
Good luck!
