Ajax boss Schreuder claims Ten Hag will have major say in handling Liverpool ‘storm’, with one tactic key

Ajax manager Alfred Schreuder has revealed he plans to take inspiration from Erik ten Hag in trying to beat Liverpool on Tuesday.

The two sides meet in the Champions League group stages at Anfield, with vastly different agendas on the menu. The hosts are looking to respond to a poor run of form, including last week’s 4-1 defeat to Napoli.

Ajax, though, kept a clean sheet in their 4-0 Group A win over Rangers and will be full of confidence.

Nevertheless, Dutchman Schreuder has warned that he expects his side to face a “storm” at Anfield.

“Yeah we expect to go into a storm,” the manager told his pre-match press conference. “We are also good. We try and play our own game.

“You have to have courage and tomorrow, if we can do that, we have a chance. If you don’t have it it is going to be difficult, especially one on one.”

Schreuder also revealed that he has taken notes from former Ajax boss Ten Hag on how to beat Liverpool.

The now-Manchester United manager led his side to a 2-1 win over their arch-rivals in August.

“I have looked at the match what they did,” Schreuder said. “There are certain things they did that are applicable to us from the Manchester United match.”

Ajax full of goals this season

Ajax will also be confident heading to Anfield because they have been full of goals this season.

In fact, they have scored at least three goals in four out of six Eredivise matches this term.

And in the two games where they won 1-0 and 2-0, the clean sheets were welcome too.

Schreuder said after Saturday’s 5-0 win over Heerenveen that his side are enjoying having a “hunger” to score.

“We have continued the line of the home game against Rangers,” the manager said. “Especially the way we are on the field: the energy, the fun we radiate and the hunger to keep going when we score.

“We expected a difficult start against Heerenveen, they have a good organisation. If you score early, that’s quite a knock. That 2-0 over it gave a good feeling. We ran into problems a few times due to counters, but the second half went according to plan. Then you can also switch.

“Off to Liverpool, I would say. I don’t know how they are now, but I don’t think it’s a big disadvantage that they don’t play a game this weekend.”

Liverpool defence set for big test

Liverpool have enjoyed success against Ajax in recent seasons, but this could be their sternest test yet.

The Reds won 1-0 on both occasions in their 2020/21 Champions League group stage meetings.

In the first meeting, a Nicolas Tagliafico own goal in the first half decided the affair. In the reverse fixture, meanwhile, Curtis Jones’ second-half goal edged a tough contest in which Caoimhin Kelleher made a brilliant save.

And given the contrasting form of the two sides this season, Ajax will surely fancy their chances of nicking something this time round.

Liverpool need to reset and banish all their demons if they are to get a win. They need their intensity to return and their defence to step up to the mark.

If Ajax go into Tuesday’s clash with the momentum they have built up, they will make life hard for the Reds.

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