After defeat in their Champions League opener, Liverpool will be looking to bounce back at home to Ajax on Tuesday night.
Jurgen Klopp claimed that Liverpool may need to “reinvent" themselves following their 4-1 defeat to Napoli in the Champions League last week. Their latest defeat meant that Liverpool have now won just two of their opening seven games this season, and the Reds will need to improve their form if they are to challenge on all fronts.
Liverpool have had an extended rest period ahead of Ajax's visit to Anfield, with Saturday's fixture with Wolves postponed out of respect, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. No Premier League fixtures were played last weekend, but some top flight matches are set to return this coming weekend.
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Andrew Robertson is set to miss the Ajax game with a suspected knee injury, with Klopp confirming he is out at least until after the international break. Klopp also confirmed that Fabio Carvalho could return to the squad, but Curtis Jones remains out.
So, how could Klopp's side respond to their defeat to Napoli last week? We used FIFA 22 to get a score prediction.
Liverpool vs Ajax score predicted by simulation
To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 22 and updated the squads with the latest transfers. Due to FIFA 22 not having the latest kits, both sides lined up in the kits from the 2021/22 season.
We predict that Klopp's side could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Elliott, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
We predict that Ajax could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Pasveer; Rensch, Timberm Bassey, Blind; Berghuis, Alvarez, Taylor; Tadic, Kudus, Bergwijn.
Liverpool got off to the worst start possible, falling a goal behind just after the 10-minute mark. With their first chance of the game, A long ball from Jurrien Timber found the run of Steven Bergwijn on the left, breezing past Trent Alexander-Arnold and breaking through one-on-one.
The pass landed in the box, and Bergwijn did brilliantly to cushion the ball on the volley past Alisson at his near post for the lead. Liverpool had started brightly though, and they found a deserved equaliser just before the break, through Harvey Elliot.
Fabinho spotted a gap in the Ajax defence which Thiago infiltrated, and the Brazilian found his midfield partner, sending Thiago in on goal. The 'keeper rushed off his line prematurely with Thiago still on the edge of the box, and the Spaniard squared the ball to Elliot who tapped into the empty net unmarked.
With the game level, both sides had chances, though the Reds were in control possession-wise. Arthur, Diogo Jota and Nat Phillips were all introduced after an hour, and the latter put Liverpool in the lead with 14 minutes remaining.
After coming on as a replacement for the injured Joel Matip, the English defender rose highest to meet the ball from an Alexander-Arnold corner, and his thumping header skimmed the inside of the post and nestled into the net.
All three substitutions helped tilt the game into Liverpool's favour, with Arthur and Jota both injecting some intensity into the Reds' attack. And, with a couple of minutes to go, Jota grabbed an assist as Liverpool made it 3-1.
Mohamed Salah cut in from the left and fizzed a ball into the feet of Jota just inside the box. The forward could've turned onto his left to shoot, but Jota smartly rolled the ball behind him for Thiago to meet, and the midfielder drilled his effort into the far corner to guarantee victory.
FIFA 22 predicted final score: Liverpool 3-1 Ajax
Here are the full-time match stats.
FIFA 22 predicts that despite going behind again, the Reds managed to fight back and claim three points against Ajax. Liverpool started to take control when Nat Phillips, Diogo Jota and Arthur were all introduced, potentially some changes that Klopp may be tempted to make in coming weeks.
What do you think the score will be between Liverpool and Ajax on Tuesday? Let us know in the comments!
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