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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Charlotte Coates

Ajax chief Edwin van der Sar makes Liverpool admission after Champions League draw

Edwin van der Sar believes Liverpool are the favourites to progress through Group A in the Champions League after the draw was made on Thursday evening. The Reds were drawn alongside Ajax, Napoli and Rangers.

Liverpool made it all the way to the final of the Champions League last season and narrowly lost 1-0 to Real Madrid, it was their third final in five years under Jurgen Klopp and the Reds will be hoping to go one better this term.

The Reds took on Ajax in the group stages in 2020, but Covid restrictions meant that the ties in Amsterdam and Anfield were played behind closed doors - much to the disappointment of both sets of fans.

READ MORE: Champions League draw in full as Liverpool face Rangers in Group A

READ MORE: Liverpool overlooked as pundits name Champions League 'favourites' after draw

Ajax chief executive, Van der Sar, highlighted how the Dutch fans were unhappy at not being able to travel to Anfield when the sides last meant at this stage of the competition two seasons ago.

"I think for the fans it's fantastic," the former Manchester United goalkeeper told UEFA. "Two years ago we played Liverpool in the group stage and it was during COVID so the fan were very disappointed they couldn't go to Anfield. It's looking like Liverpool are favourites to go through."

Despite Liverpool's current form in the Premier League, the Reds are always a threat in European competition with Anfield acting as a 12th man for Klopp's side on many occasions.

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