Klopp seeks Liverpool reaction against Ajax

Liverpool — Liverpool have identified their shortcomings from their Champions League loss to Napoli and must find consistency in their performances again if they are to beat Ajax Amsterdam in their second group game, manager Juergen Klopp says.

Klopp said the 4-1 loss at Napoli last week was the “worst game we played since I was here”, adding that analysing the match was akin to watching a “horror film” with at least eight players playing below their level.

“We had a meeting, showed them the situations and I didn’t have to say a lot, the players know. We brought ourselves to this situation,” Klopp said ahead of Tuesday's game at Anfield.

“We had obvious football problems which were from misjudgements. Everyone wanted to sort it by themselves, there was no structure.

“We had four or five days now of absolute truth, not to knock the players down, just to make sure where we are now. This is the starting point for us to sort the problems together on the pitch, no pointing at each other.”

Liverpool, however, were dealt another injury blow with Klopp saying full back Andy Robertson is out until after the international break this month, while Curtis Jones is also unavailable.

Klopp also said he does not expect Naby Keita to go on international duty while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is no closer to a return.

“The expected return date is somewhere in October,” Klopp said. “With Ox it’s the same. That’s why the two boys are not in the Champions League squad.”

Ajax have won all their league games this season to sit top of the Eredivisie standings and Klopp praised Alfred Schreuder’s side for coping well despite losing several big players from last season in the transfer window.

“Ajax are in the Champions League and they belong there. Are they the strongest team in the competition? I haven’t seen the rest yet,” Klopp said.

We have to show a reaction but that doesn’t guarantee a result against Ajax. They’ve won all their games this season, they’ve had a massive rebuild but they’re doing a really good job.

“We have not been consistent enough this season and we have to show that again. And that always starts with defending better.”

At the same time Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann will decide shortly before the game which central defenders will face Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski as he returns to Munich for their group C match on Tuesday.

The Poland forward, who scored 344 goals for Bayern in 375 games during his eight years at the club, joined the Spanish side in July in a deal worth €45m.

“I am certain on many positions but not the ones in central defence yet,” Nagelsmann told a news conference.

He can choose between Dayot Upamecano, Matthijs de Ligt and Lucas Hernandez, with the latter having a slight advantage.

“Upa has more duels against Lewi in the Bundesliga [when the defender played for RB Leipzig]. He always defended well against him but I have not decided yet,” the coach said.

Nagelsmann said Lewandowski was still at a top level despite his 34 years and expected him to keep scoring an average of 40 goals a season. 

Reuters