Jürgen Klopp must make at least three changes to his starting XI for the Champions League Group D opener against AFC Ajax.
As a consequence of the injuries they suffered at Goodison Park last weekend, Thiago Alcantara and Virgil van Dijk are sidelined, while Joel Matip has not traveled to Amsterdam as a precaution.
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“We have a lot of players here, but others don’t, and Joel is one of the players we don’t have here,” Klopp explained before the tie with the Eredivisie side on Wednesday.
Thiago isn’t here, and everyone knows it because you’re watching us ride. I don’t know how long that’s going to take; as I said, two players from the weekend, Thiago and Virgil, are hurting. And Joel, but for various reasons.
But to be honest, I like the squad that we will line up with. Maybe I’m the only one! But I like it, and I think we need to give it a shot.
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Among those who made the trip from Merseyside to Amsterdam on Tuesday afternoon were Jake Cain, Vitezslav Jaros, and Rhys Williams. Roberto Firmino will make a half-century of European appearances for the Reds if he features at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
In the Champions League this season, teams are allowed to name up to 12 substitutes and use five over the course of the match. Meanwhile, after arrival from Sao Paulo, Ajax has ruled out summer signing Antony, who has scored three goals for the club. They will also be missing Jurrien Timber, the young defender.
#Matchday: @afcajax v Liverpool
Kick Off at 00:30 am IST
Live on Sony Ten 2/HD #UCL #ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/3HNbg06Mft— LFC Mumbai – OLSC (@LFCMumbai) October 21, 2020
Reporters were told by head coach Erik ten Hag: “We have two players that are not match-fit: Jurrien Timber and Antony. Our team is set up nicely. We will be brave. We are going to turn what we have been working on into real work on the pitch.”
Last match
Ajax 5-1 Heerenveen (October 18): Onana, Mazraoui, Schuurs, Blind, Tagliafico, Klaassen, Gravenberch, Neres, Kudus, Tadic, Traore.
Everton 2-2 Liverpool (October 17): Adrian, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago, Mane, Salah, Firmino.
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