Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes his side can redeem themselves tonight against Ajax a week after their humiliating UEFA Champions League defeat to Napoli.
Also tonight, Barcelona are on a mission to Germany to end a run of poor results against Bayern Munich, as two Nigerians face each other in Portugal.
Klopp’s Liverpool were thoroughly embarrassed last week in the opening matchday of the elite competition, losing 4-1 to Napoli in Italy.
They host in-form Ajax tonight, who have not conceded a goal in their last five matches with Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey leading the rearguard.
“I watched the game back plenty of times and it was a real horror show, to be honest, so we showed the boys the situation as well,” Klopp said yesterday, referring to the Napoli defeat as he previewed tonight’s clash.
“They knew but then seeing it again makes it really obvious. That was the worst game we played since I am here and we had a few bad games, we all know that, everybody remembers probably Aston Villa and some others where we were just not up to speed and stuff like this. But there were always glimpses of us, even in these games.
“In this particular game, nothing. So then obviously you have to understand why that happens. I think that’s not a common thing, that’s more an individual thing because I think pretty much eight out of 11 were absolutely below their level which they usually can play.
“Everything we did since I’m here and everything teams do in football is based on really solid, if not nearly perfect, defending. That’s where it all starts and that’s where we had to work on. And that’s what we did.”
Klopp is confident his team will bounce back from the thrashing and climb up the Group A table, starting from tonight, although he is wary of Ajax’s impressive form.
“Obviously we have to show a reaction definitely, we know that,” the German explained.
“That doesn’t guarantee a result against Ajax. Ajax are actually, I would say, pretty much in the opposite situation, completely different, won all their games so far this season. Have again a rebuild, a really massive rebuild, but doing no surprise again a really good job.
“Thinking about the situation in the group, I don’t think that’s massively helpful. We know about it, it’s anyway clear. But it’s a home game in the Champions League so it’s not that we give the points away before we start. But we have to make sure we play completely different to what we did at Napoli and we will see what we can get for that.
“But first and foremost, we have to show we all have the same idea and that’s hopefully possible Tuesday night.”
Ajax are currently on top of Group A following their 4-0 win over Rangers, who will host second-placed Napoli tomorrow night after their fixture was moved by 24 hours due to the funeral arrangements for Queen Elizabeth II.
In another big Champions League showdown tonight, Barcelona visit Bayern Munich hoping to end a winless streak against the Bavarians.
The Spanish giants have never beaten Bayern in Munich in the Champions League, losing four of their games there and drawing the other two.
Both teams began this season’s European campaign with victories, Barcelona beating Viktoria Plzen 5-1 at Camp Nou last week and Bayern Munich defeating their hosts Inter Milan 2-0.
Xavi’s side will be hoping their biggest weapon, Robert Lewandowski, will return to haunt his old side after leaving Bayern Munich to join the Spanish giants in the summer.
In other Champions League fixtures tonight, Bayer Leverkusen welcome Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan visit Viktoria Plzen and Sporting Lisbon host Tottenham Hotspur.
In a battle of Nigerian stars, defender Zaidu Sanusi’s FC Porto play host to midfielder Raphael Onyedika’s Club Brugge.
FIXTURES
Group A
Liverpool vs Ajax
Group B
Bayer Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid
FC Porto vs Club Brugge
Group C
Viktoria Plzen vs Inter Milan
Bayern Munich vs Barcelona
Group D
Sporting Lisbon vs Tottenham Hotspur
Marseille vs Eintracht Frankfurt
