Liverpool vs Ajax Predictions

• Ajax have won their last seven games in all competitions
• The visitors have lost just two of their last 25 European away games
• Liverpool have won just twice in seven games this term
• Bergwijn has scored seven times in his last six games

Rocky start for Liverpool

A 4-1 thumping in Naples last week has put Liverpool on the back foot in the Champions League, especially with Ajax looking strong. The Reds are immediately in a battle for their future in this competition, less than four months after Jurgen Klopp told fans to book their trips to the final.

Now the Reds return to Anfield needing a win, but things haven’t been clicking for them. Mohamed Salah looks detached from the frontline, an issue which has dragged on long before Sadio Mane departed. Salah hasn’t scored in any of his last seven appearances in the Champions League, while the injury-hit midfield behind him is struggling too.

Ajax in fine form

Ajax have started the season perfectly, winning seven of seven in all competitions. They’ve won each of their last five to nil, scoring 16 times during that run.

Their good run extends to this competition, as Ajax have won their last seven Champions League group stage matches, scoring 24 goals and conceding just five.

Against Rangers last time out, the average starting distance of Ajax’s sequences of play was 52.7 metres from their own goal – the highest up the field of any team in the competition. With Liverpool struggling to press given their midfield issues, the Dutch side should pose a real problem.

Visitors to cause problems

Liverpool are heavy favourites for this clash, but they’ve won only two of seven so far this season. Ajax may not have as difficult of a domestic league, but they looked fantastic in their Champions League opener.

The visitors also have a great record on their travels which works in their favour here. In all European competition, Ajax have only lost two of their last 25 away matches (W13 D10). Following that run, they should avoid defeat at Anfield. Given the state the pair find themselves in, I’m backing the visitors to shade a 2-1 victory.

Ajax have plenty of in-form attacking options but summer signing Steven Bergwijn stands out among them. The former Spurs winger has scored seven times in his last six games including a goal in their Champions League opener, so back him to find the net.