In Group A of the Champions League, Naples has qualified for the round of 16 and can seal first place this WednesdayEither they beat Rangers and Liverpool fail to beat Ajax, or the Serie A leaders draw and Jürgen Klopp’s side lose. Meanwhile, Liverpool, coming off another Premier League blow (lost 1-0 at Nottingham Forest), will be in the second round if they don’t lose to Ajax.
Ajax just need a victory against the ‘reds’, and with the difference of two goals, in order not to be left in the round of 16. That is why Dutch coach Alfred Schreuder urged his players to “show more courage, courage and, in a good way, aggressiveness, to have more courage”. Three consecutive defeats (2-1 against Liverpool, 1-6 and 4-2 against Napoli) put Ajax in this dire situation. Schreuder believes that, despite the defeat, “Liverpool can beat Nottingham 6-1”.
In the ranks of Liverpool, Darwin Núñez trained this Tuesday and will be able to play, but Thiago Alcantara is not yet.while he was recovering from an ear infection. Klopp had other casualties besides Thiago: Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Joel Matip. It seems difficult for Ibrahima Konaté to come out even at the beginning, as he only started training on Monday.
The great dominator of the group is Naples, whose coach, Spalletti, announced that he would make “three or four changes, fresh, compared to those who played against Roma.” Napoli beat José Mourinho’s side 0-1 on Sunday and lead Serie A with 3 points ahead of Milan.
Spalletti said that “we have done well so farbut we are always trying to improve and I have seen good things at Rangers”.
The group from Glasgow, runners-up in the Europa League and led by former Barcelona player Gio van Bronckhorst, have no chance of reaching the round of 16, but they could finish third and return to that tournament. However, the Scots will come last if they lose and Ajax don’t lose to Liverpool or if they draw and the Dutch win. Napoli have 12 points, Liverpool 9, Ajax 3 and Rangers none.
PROBABLE LINEUPS
AJAX-LIVERPOOL
Johan Cruyff Arena, 21.00 (MLC)
Ajax: Pasveer; Jorge Sanchez, Timber, Blind, Bassey; Edson Alvarez, Klaassen, Grillitsch; Berghuis, Kudus and Bergwijn
coaches: Alfred Schreuder
Liverpool: Allison; Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Thiago Alcantara, Henderson; Salah, Firmino, Carvalho; Darwin Nunez
coaches: Jurgen Klopp
Referee: Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez (Spain)
NAPLES-RANGERS
Diego Maradona Stadium, 21.00 (MLC)
Naples: Mereth; Di Lorenzo, Ostigard, Juan Jesus, Mario Rui; Ndombele, Lobotka, Elmas; Politano, Simeone and Raspadori
coaches: Luciano Spalletti
Rangers: McGregor; Tavernier, Sands, Davies, Barisic; Davis, Lundstram; Arfield, Tillman, Kent; Colak
coaches: Gio van Bronckhorst
Referee: Halil Umut Meler (Turkey)
Source: La Verdad
I am an experienced and passionate journalist with a strong track record in news website reporting. I specialize in technology coverage, breaking stories on the latest developments and trends from around the world. Working for Today Times Live has given me the opportunity to write thought-provoking pieces that have caught the attention of many readers.
