Liverpool will beat Ajax 3-2 with the help of 4-2-3-1

Liverpool travel to Holland this week to take on Ajax.

This will be their first group stage match of the 2020/21 Champions League campaign.

Adrian filling in for an injured Allison in goal, Virgil van Dijk’s brutal injury, question marks as to Joe Gomez’s defensive form and a knock to Joel Matip leave the Reds struggling to find cover at the CB position.

I expect Jurgen Klopp and Pep Lijnders are working hard at Melwood to hash out a plan to cobble together a defensive shape to see them through this tie on the continent.

Ajax must be licking their chops at the prospect of taking on a wounded and battered Liverpool that has shipped nine goals in their last two outings in the Premier League.

Make no mistake, this is not going to be an easy task for the Reds; but it is an opportunity to show once again their champion quality under extremely adverse circumstances. Their character and reputation will be sorely tested here, and for the first time since January 2018, Liverpool will be forced to go bring home the three points without their rock in the center of their defense.

A perfect storm of injury and illness have seen the Reds come up against it in the start of this current campaign.

Thiago, also the victim of a red card challenge during the derby, is also a question mark. I feel that he will be held back to mend, and get fit for the Sheffield United tie at Anfield on the weekend.

There are a good many if’s and maybe’s surrounding this away tie with a good, solid, well managed Ajax side. Although they are nowhere near the level of the side that saw so much joy in Champions League two seasons ago, they will be a formidable challenge for Klopp and his wounded warriors here.

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Getting into Jurgen’s head here a bit, this is how I see the team sheet shaping up at this point.

Starting with what we do know; Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Mo Salah will be the front three as usual. Bobby has had more success in Champions League than in the Premier League this past year, and I look for him to shine against Ajax.

The midfield depends on player availability and how much the gaffer trusts Thiago’s ability to go again so soon after the hard knock on Saturday.

Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum are ready, and could sit in a double six if Thiago is ruled out. This also depends upon Keita’s fitness and availability. Curtis Jones could get a start if Keita is not fit, but James Milner is more likely.

This is the perfect time to employ a 4-2-3-1 that has been the point of much speculation for the Reds this season.

Now to the battered defensive line. Andrew Robertson should be in his usual full-back spot, but he had a hard challenge on Saturday as well and could be recovering still from that knock. Klopp may opt for Kostas Tsimikas to start here, saving Robbo on the bench, with a mind to keep him fresh for the Sheffield United tie.

Joe Gomez will be called upon to make a good showing here and he managed to put in a decent solid shift as replacement for VVD in that Everton debacle from the weekend.

Here is where we should look to see Fabinho employed to bring leadership and a calming presence and influence to the defensive shape. Trent Alexander-Arnold rounds out the backline with Adrian between the sticks, in cover for Allison once again.

At this point a draw would be a good result under the circumstances. But Jurgen Klopp does not play for draws and I wouldn’t expect him to change his overall approach now.

Look for the Reds to play to win, taking the game to Ajax and giving a solid and intense effort that the gaffer has come to expect from this squad.

The high line may well be abandoned for the foreseeable future; but I expect Hendo to run the midfield and keep the pressure on with pressing and counter-pressing in some situations. They will not drop the pressure on the ball in their attacking third.

A good result here for the Reds will give them confidence going forward that they will need to manage ties without two of their world class defenders on the pitch.

A wounded animal is even more dangerous and after the Everton tie; which saw the Toffees smacking the badger a bit, the Reds could be mad as a stirred up hornets nest with Ajax squarely in their sights.

The mentality monsters will be on call come Wednesday and I see a Liverpool win with a 3-2 scoreline carrying them home.