Liverpool haven’t qualified from their Champions League group yet. The Reds still have to secure their place in the knockout round and Tuesday is the perfect time to do it. They’ll need a better performance than last weeks if they want to earn that vital win. Here are three reasons why Takumi Minamino should start against Ajax:
Champions League form
Takumi Minamino should start against Ajax because is lethal in the Champions League.
Kopites will remember he was electing against Liverpool in the group stage last season.
The Japan international may have struggled at the weekend against Brighton but the European stage is where he shines, it is a different game altogether and one which plays to his strengths.
Open game
We expect Tuesday night to be a much more open game than Brighton away was.
Takumi Minamino thrives on picking up the ball in pockets of space in front of the opposition defence.
He is at his best in this advanced role where he can create and penetrate.
In an open game, like the one we’re expecting against Ajax, the Japan international will be able to find more space to operate in.
Sunday showdown
Takumi Minamino should start against Ajax in order to keep other legs fresh for Sunday’s clash with Wolves.
The Premier League should be the priority fixture out of the two, meaning we should start Taki in the less crucial tie.
The Reds still have next Tuesday to qualify for the knockout phases, we can afford to rest a couple of the first XI as a result.
This would also set Taki up for another start next week when the Reds take on FC Midtjylland in their final Champions League group game, giving him the chance to show what he can do without pressure.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
