The last time Darwin Nunez stepped out at the Johan Cruijff ArenA here in Amsterdam, it set in motion a sequence of events that would ultimately change his life. And, Liverpool will hope, spearhead the next evolution under Jurgen Klopp.
Nunez's header to earn Benfica a 1-0 win over Ajax in their Champions League round of 16 clash in March booked a quarter-final berth against the Reds, in which his performances over the two legs were sufficient to persuade Klopp to turn to the striker when refashioning his forward line with Sadio Mane departing in the summer.
Having sat out the miserable 1-0 Premier League defeat at Nottingham Forest on Saturday with a hamstring complaint, Nunez was back training on Tuesday and is expected to lead the line when Liverpool seek the point that will ensure qualification from their Champions League group tonight.
READ MORE: Liverpool had three players on shortlist before £65m transfer that changed everything
READ MORE: Full Liverpool squad available for Ajax as duo return but seven players absent
Certainly, Nunez was missed at the City Ground, his improving form underlined by recent goals against Arsenal, Rangers and West Ham United. The 23-year-old is averaging a strike every 114 minutes in his interrupted Anfield career thus far.
And with Ajax needing to win to retain any hope of making it out of Group A, Virgil van Dijk believes the Dutch side - who have leaked 19 goals in their last eight games - could offer the kind of space at the back in which Nunez could revel.
"Ajax has played a lot of good games this season and also had some lesser games," says the Dutch defender. "Look against RKC (Waalwijk, who Ajax beat 4-1 at the weekend), in which they did concede a lot of chances to be honest, and also in Europe in which Napoli (who beat Ajax 6-1 and 4-2) are doing really, really well and are very hard to beat. There are always chances against Ajax.
"People expect them to do well and the minute they do a bit less good, people criticise them immediately. But I think they are a good side. We are not coming here to defend or get a draw. We want to win the game, we want to hopefully make sure we go through. We know how tough it will be but Ajax will know how tough it will be as well."
While Liverpool have endured an underwhelming start to the season, Van Dijk is convinced there is still plenty of scope - and time - for Klopp's side to transform their campaign.
"We are searching for the consistency we have been having in the past four or five years, which is the hardest thing in football to achieve," he says. "Obviously we have had a lot of setbacks, there are many reasons why it isn't going well, but we are still at the beginning of the season, there's still a World Cup coming so there are many, many things that could change things drastically.
"We just have to focus on what we know we are good at. Just a week ago we won really well (against Manchester City) and we need to keep showing that intensity and enjoy the games we play as we're playing at the highest level. We've always dealt with the pressure and the expectations are very high."
Liverpool have kept only one clean sheet on the road this April - the goalless Premier League draw at Everton in September - with the players grappling with the switch away from the long-established 4-3-3 formation in recent weeks.
Van Dijk, though, has dismissed suggestions there has been an overhaul in the approach of the backline. "I don't think we are defending deeper," he says. "I think in the way we play, we have a system but it's how you fill it in with life. You need intensity in order to make it work regardless of what position or formation you play.
"I don't think it changes much in my position, I don't think we drop off as maybe has been spoken about. When you speak about the game against City for example, you know they are going to have the ball also quite a bit, you are aware of the players they have. In every game you try to read what players the opponents have and what their strengths are.
"For example, Ajax have fantastic players in midfield who can play the balls in behind and players who put in crosses and play out from the back, so you have to be prepared to do certain things in defending in different games. Formation is just that starting position and then it's about intensity and making sure you win your battle."
READ NEXT:
-
FA release statement on Jordan Henderson and Gabriel investigation after Arsenal vs Liverpool
- Man United could help Liverpool sign Bellingham despite reported £131m transfer fee
- Liverpool must cope without leading striker as two youngsters set for opportunity
- Darwin Nunez and two others return but Thiago remains missing from Liverpool training
- FSG CEO Sam Kennedy makes Liverpool future vow
