Jurgen Klopp's first-team aren't the only Liverpool team aiming to secure qualification to the knockout stages in Europe in Holland today.
Five hours before the Reds step out at the Johan Cruijff ArenA seeking the point that would secure their place in the last 16 of the Champions League, the under-19s will be attempting to do likewise in the UEFA Youth League.
Barry Lewtas's youngsters take on Ajax at the nearby Sportcomplex De Toekomst (kick-off 3pm) as the only team remaining in the competition to boast a 100% record having won all four of their Group A games.
READ MORE: Darwin Nunez 'repeat' can trigger major Liverpool change and Virgil van Dijk has explained how
READ MORE: Manchester United could help Liverpool sign Jude Bellingham despite reported £131m transfer fee
The most recent, a thrilling 4-3 triumph at Rangers a fortnight ago, ensured just Real Madrid have netted more goals than the 14 the Reds have rattled home.
Liverpool, though, will have to do without the tournament's leading scorer Oakley Cannonier after the 18-year-old limped out before half-time in Scotland having scored twice to take his tally to seven. And with centre-back Lee Jonas, sent off at Rangers, and goalkeeper Harvey Davies both suspended, the Reds will have a new-look spine against an Ajax side they thumped 4-0 at Kirkby last month.
Opportunity, then, is knocking for the likes of keeper Luke Hewitson - who came off the bench in last season's quarter-final loss at Juventus - and forward Lewis Koumas, who has netted nine goals this season. Ben Doak, the matchwinner against Rangers and excellent throughout the UEFA Youth League campaign, will again be the main attacking threat.
Only the team finishing top is guaranteed progress to the last 16, with Liverpool currently five points clear of second-placed Ajax. They finish the group with a home game against Napoli next week.
"We want to finish top of the group," says Lewtas. "We are playing so many games at the moment, but our focus remains the same and that is to try to win every game we play. There's nothing simpler to it than that.
"We are the only team who has won every game so far, so to do that at this level, in what is a tough group, is very pleasing. We played away on an artificial surface in Napoli, we played Ajax and Rangers, and for us to get the win the way we did against them with 10 men was excellent. I think overall it has been so far, so good."
Ajax have won both their home games in the group, defeating Rangers 2-1 before demolishing Napoli 5-1 last time out. And Lewtas is confident his team won't be hoodwinked by the convincing scoreline from the earlier meeting the Dutch team.
"We were excellent, but Ajax showed enough from a spell they had in the first half that we know what we are coming up against," he says. "The scoreline was extremely convincing but there was a time in that first half when we had to defend well, they pinned us back, showed some really good technique and lovely movements.
“That has given us a scare to know that we will be in a game on Wednesday. No two games are the same anyway, so we know we are going to have to be good if we are to go over there and get the win."
READ NEXT
-
Jurgen Klopp makes Liverpool job admission as 'explanations' shared for slump
- Jose Enrique tweet blames wrong players for Liverpool problem
- Sam Kennedy vows FSG 'in it for the long haul' after hint to Liverpool future plans
- Liverpool winger ruled out until 2023 as Calvin Ramsay plan confirmed
- Jurgen Klopp may have just been forced to unleash next phase of Liverpool plan
