Liverpool take on Ajax in the Champions League tonight, and Dutch journalist Tom van Hulsen believes Steven Bergwijn must target Trent Alexander-Arnold.
What’s the story?
Well, Ajax Showtime spoke to the England-based football expert about what supporters should expect from tonight’s mouthwatering clash in Group A.
Interestingly, Van Hulsen expects Ajax to have plenty of joy if they go down the left flank through Bergwijn.
The Dutchman said: “The defence is the Achilles heel at Liverpool right now. If Bergwijn is on the left against Alexander-Arnold, then there are opportunities for Ajax. If he can be sent away a few times, then there are possibilities.
“If Ajax plays its own game, then they automatically make it difficult for Liverpool. Naples has done that too. It says enough that the respect for Liverpool – that you naturally go a bit on the defensive – is no longer there. Opponents smell blood.”
It comes after the England international put in a very disappointing display last time out as Liverpool suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Napoli, in which Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez lacked concentration at the back.
We agree with Van Hulsen, as Bergwijn has been in fantastic form since his £26.4m move back to the Netherlands from Tottenham in July.
The 24-year-old has scored eight goals in eight games since moving to Amsterdam, and he is surely going to cause Alexander-Arnold issues if he brings his A-game yet again tonight.
Last time out against Napoli, the Liverpool No.66 suffered significantly against a traditional winger in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and seeing as Bergwijn adopts a similarly direct style of play, it could be another tough night for the £160,000-a-week right-back.
Liverpool vs Ajax is huge for Jürgen Klopp
In our view, if tonight also turns out to be a disaster for Liverpool, Jürgen Klopp must change something.
So far, the German has stayed loyal to his players and has persevered with the system which has brought so much success to Anfield in recent years.
However, opponents now seem to be figuring out how to hurt Liverpool, more often than not by playing a counter-attacking style with pacey wide men.
If Liverpool end up embarrassing themselves in Europe once again tonight, it could see Klopp make significant alterations.
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