Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was not surprised to see former club Ajax beaten by Liverpool in the Champions League this week.
That’s according to Voetbal International editor-in-chief Freek Jansen, who says he was in contact with the Manchester United manager before and after the game.
Ajax travelled to Anfield for their second game in the group stages this week, looking to make it six points out of six following an impressive win over Rangers in matchday one.
Liverpool proved to be too good for them, though, with goals from Mohamed Salah and Joel Matip handing the Reds a 2-1 win.
In truth, the result should have been far greater than that one, with Liverpool dominating possession and creating a whole host of chances throughout the game.
It was a chastening evening for a young Ajax side, who at times struggled to deal with the intensity set by Jurgen Klopp’s men.
“Just before kick-off I got a message from Ten Hag,” Jansen told the Pak Schaal Podcast, relayed by Voetbal Primeur.
“He was sitting ready and sent something like have fun there, thirty miles away is an Ajax fan in front of the TV. Hup, Ajax!
“After the match, we were in contact again. He said: this is the intensity you can encounter here. With a lot of Ajax players, you noticed that this is new.
“It’s going forward, but it would be very crazy if you could have dominated at Anfield, one of the most difficult away games worldwide, too.
“Then there should have been a magic wand in Schreuder’s trainer’s bag. This was the maximum for this Ajax at the moment. And even then, you almost grab a point.”
