Liverpool start their Champions League campaign later tonight, as the Reds face Ajax in the group stage of the European competition. The Reds haven’t been in the best of forms lately and have also been shocked by the injury to star defender Virgil Van Dijk. But Klopp and his men will be eager to prove the world wrong, that thinks Liverpool will not be good without the likes of Van Dijk and Alisson.
Alisson will also miss the Champions League clash against an Ajax side that looks very strong, especially going forward. But Liverpool are stronger than Ajax when it comes to attacking display as Salah, Mane and Firmino will look to unravel the Dutch club. The selection in the midfield will not be very straight-forward though, as Klopp will have to find a blend of solidity and creativity.
Let us now have a look at how Jurgen Klopp might line his Liverpool side us in the Champions League against Ajax.
THE 4-2-3-1
This is by far the strongest Liverpool side Klopp can put out on the pitch, according to the personnel available to him. The likes of Van Dijk, Alisson, Matip, Oxlade Chamberlain are out of the game because of injuries to them and Keita and Thiago are major doubts. In such a situation, Klopp will be reliant on his fringe players or players that don’t play a lot of football for Liverpool anymore.
Adrian will be a surety in goal without Alisson, and because of the injuries to Matip and Van Dijk, Fabinho is likely to play as a centre-back. The Brazilian was good at the position against Chelsea, but this time he will have to lead the defence. Henderson and Wijnaldum will be heavily relied on for the industry in the midfield, as both players have been recently in and out of Klopp’s team.
Naby Keita is a doubt for the game but might start if not, Takumi Minamino might come into action for the Reds. The front-three almost picks itself, as Salah, Mane and Firmino are a threat to any defence.
THE 4-3-3
Another option available to Klopp is the 4-3-3, this might be riskier as Liverpool are without a proper defensive midfielder. The likes of Wijnaldum, Henderson and Milner can play in the role but they haven’t played in the position for quite some time now. Thiago’s presence could’ve made things easy for Klopp but the Spaniard is still a major doubt.
The full-backs have to push high in such a system, and thus the defensive midfielder will need to be on high-alert all the time. He will have to cover the spaces left in behind the full-back, as Ajax’s style of play is based on finding spaces. The Dutch club has pace on their wings and thus Robertson and Alexander-Arnold will have to be very careful when they bomb forward.
THE 3-4-3
Although Klopp doesn’t use this system, the 3-4-3 might just suit Liverpool for the game against Ajax. Against an attacking Ajax side, Liverpool could do with extra protection, especially without Van Dijk. Liverpool have the personnel to use such a formation thus it might be on the cards for Jurgen Klopp.
