Hello and welcome to LIVE updates of Liverpool’s Champions League Group D opener at Ajax. It’s a battle between two giants steeped in history of European glory. Will the Dutch outfit take advantage of a Liverpool defence adjusting to life without Virgil van Dijk? Or will the Merseysiders put their troubles aside, let their attack do the talking and get back to winning ways? We’ll soon find out. Kick off 20.00 BST.
Champions League / Group Stage
Johan Cruijff ArenA / 21.10.2020
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- N. Tagliafico(35' O.G)
Live
Live Updates
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Updated 21/10/2020 at 20:55 GMT
17'
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Image credit: Getty Images
15'
Martínez arrives late at the far post to meet Tadic's deep cross from the right, but his header is well gathered by Adrian.
14'
STAT: Liverpool have lost their last two games in the Champions League (both against Atletico Madrid last season). The Reds have not suffered three straight defeats in the competition since October-November 2014, under Brendan Rodgers.
12'
Liverpool break at speed, but Mane sees his attempt well blocked.
11'
Promes and Tadic threaten the heart of the Liverpool defence, but Fabinho steps in and deals with the situation. Superb from the Brazilian.
10'
AJAX CHANGE: Promes on for the injured Kudus.
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On
Q. Promes
Ajax
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Off
M. Kudus
Ajax
9'
Kudus has been having treatment on he sideline, but can't continue. Ajax are readying an early change.
8'
Play resumes with Liverpool on the attack against 10 men - for the moment.
7'
Kudus is down for Ajax. The physio is repeatedly stretching out his right leg. He gets to his feet and gingerly walks to the sideline.
5'
Liverpool with lots of early pressing. Ajax are finding it difficult to develop anything beyond their own half. No opportunities for either side as of yet.
4'
3'
Liverpool’s overall record in Europe: Played 400, won 222, drawn 89, lost 89. /// In European Cup/Champions League: Played 217 - won 123, drawn 45, lost 49.
2'
1st Half
1'
KICK OFF! Liverpool get this Group D opener underway.
19.55
Can Salah move up above Ian Rush on Liverpool’s list of leading Euro scorers? The Egyptian is tied with the Welsh legend in third place on 20 goals and has his eyes on Michael Owen in second spot with 22. He’s still got some way to go to catch Steven Gerrard at the top on 41 though.
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Image credit: Getty Images
19.50
Lassina Traore drops to the bench for Ajax tonight. That’s the one change from the 5-1 weekend success over Herenveen. Lisandro Martinez comes in to the defence with Daley Blind shuffling forward into the midfield.
19.45
TALISMANIC TADIC: The Ajax captain has had a direct hand in 13 goals in 18 outings in the Champions League (six goals and seven assists). That’s the most of any player for the Dutch outfit since the start of the 2018-19 season.
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Image credit: Getty Images
19.40
Glad to have the Champions League back - but wondering who will sink and who will swim in this year's competition? We've go you covered. The Eurosport European network got together to try to answer the tough questions recently.
19.35
Dusan Tadic on the 2019 CL final and how he feels Ajax would have given Liverpool a better game had they not lost in stoppage time to Spurs in the last four: "It would have been nice to play against [Liverpool] in the final," Tadic said. "It is difficult to play against them (but) a larger chance than Tottenham for sure. I played against Liverpool too often, it was always difficult. They put on a lot of pressure with fast football, they are a big team but it will be a great game to play."
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Image credit: Getty Images
19.30
Gini Wijnaldum on Liverpool’s Group D opponents: “It's a difficult one, in my opinion. I know [Ajax] very well; it’s a good team, a good football-playing team – and it’s the same for the other two teams. In the Champions League everything can happen, I think we’ve shown in the years before that the away games have been quite tough for us but we’ve still managed to go to the other rounds. We are experienced with that and we know what we can expect."
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Image credit: Getty Images
19.25
Erik ten Hag, Ajax coach: “Are we relieved that Virgil van Dijk is out? At the end of the day, it is about who is still playing. A different Liverpool? No, their principles are hammered in and they can easily switch with like for like: quality Man A can come in for Man B. The whole team won't change because of Van Dijk.”
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Image credit: Imago