‘Exceptional’ player is back when Klopp needs him: Early Liverpool predicted lineup vs Ajax

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Here’s an early predicted Liverpool lineup vs Ajax this week. The Reds need to win this one as their season falters.

Liverpool dropped yet more points on Saturday, losing 1-0 to Nottingham Forest. Next up is a change of competition as the Reds travel to Amsterdam to face Ajax.

It’s now a game where Liverpool must go all-out. Not only is the Champions League their best shot at a major trophy but early progression in group would allow them to treat the final fixture with Napoli as a breather. That’s especially important with Tottenham Hotspur waiting just five games later.

So with all of that in mind, here’s our predicted Liverpool lineup to face Ajax.

Early Liverpool lineup vs Ajax

Defence

Alisson in goal, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez as centre-backs. With Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konaté both out, we’re not sure Jurgen Klopp has any choice here.

Trent Alexander-Arnold must come in at right-bac after not starting at Forest. We’d stick with Andy Robertson on the left, too, as he hasn’t played back-to-back games.

Midfield

Jordan Henderson is a must, and we imagine Klopp left him out at the weekend specifically to play in this. As for who plays alongside him – probably Fabinho?

We’d like for Thiago to retain his place but he missed the Liverpool game at the weekend with an ear infection. We have absolutely no idea how long that rules him out for. We imagine at least a week but it’s a total gues.

Attack

So we’re treating everyone else as a forward in effectively a 4-2-4 – even if the wide players are more similar to midfielders.

We think Liverpool will play Mohamed Salah centrally with Harvey Elliott retaining his place on the right. The teenager was very good against Forest and the Reds can rely on him.

Then come the questions. We’ll take a wild guess and suggest Darwin Nunez – who should be back – plays from the left, with Roberto Firmino remaining central.

It’s very possible that Klopp finds too much risk in that but Liverpool will likely want to counter with bags of pace. Having both Nunez and Salah in the side allows for that – especially if Firmino can pull the strings as a False 9.