Ajax coach Erik Ten Haag has claimed Liverpool ‘always play the same’ as his side gear up to face them in the Champions League.
The Dutch giants have been paired with Jürgen Klopp’s team in Group D alongside Atalanta and Midtjylland.
The two teams are expected to fight it out for top place in the group, although Atalanta will be no pushovers either given their form in Serie A over the last few years.
Liverpool will naturally be favourites given their current status, but Ten Haag says it will depend on who ends up playing.
“Liverpool always play the same,” Voetbal International report him saying.
“That has to do with their principles. Whether it says option A or B: the principles remain the same.
“But again: they don’t get any better without Van Dijk, because the quality of A is sometimes better than that of B. Ultimately, it is all about who plays.”
This game will, of course, be the first that Liverpool play without their talismanic centre back, who is facing the season out injured after rupturing his ACL in Saturday’s Merseyside derby.
The Dutch centre back was on the wrong end of a mistimed and reckless challenge from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, leaving the game early and later confirming the damage.
His injury is a huge blow for the Reds, who are now looking a little short in defence after failing to sign another centre back in the summer.
And Ten Haag admits Van Dijk’s absence will play a part, but ruling out Liverpool because of it is unwise.
“Liverpool is a beautiful advert, the best team in the world,” he added.
“If you win the Champions League one year and the Premier League the next, you show that you are the best team in the world. Ten Hag said.
“They have a wide selection and can absorb setbacks. But it’s clear the team won’t benefit from Virgil’s absence.”
