Chris Sutton reckons Liverpool will fail to win their Champions League match against Ajax after the 4-1 drubbing at Napoli last week.
The Reds host the Dutch champions on Tuesday evening as they look to bounce back from their disappointment in Naples.
Big Midweek: Liverpool v Ajax, Graham Potter, Man Utd, Bellingham, Bayern v Barca…
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Monday, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp said his side’s defeat last week was the “worst game” he has managed since taking over at Anfield.
“We met with the players, I watched the Napoli game a lot and we saw horrors,” Klopp said. “The players knew as well.
“It was the worst game since I’ve been here. We’ve had a few, [Aston] Villa away, but there are always glimpses of us.
“In this game, nothing. We have to understand why.”
Liverpool’s match in Naples is their most recent encounter after the weekend’s Premier League fixtures were postponed following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The Reds have started the season very slowly as they sit seventh in the league with two wins from their opening six fixtures.
Players who are usually consistent performers, such as Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, have really struggled for form.
The Merseyside club have been unlucky with injuries, especially in midfield; so much so that Klopp went back on his word and delved into the transfer market on deadline day to sign Arthur Melo on loan from Juventus.
Their slow start is a worry, and welcoming Ajax will be another tough test.
The Eredivisie giants have started the season tremendously well even after losing Erik ten Hag and several important players.
It’s actually their best start to a season since 1997, which is a testament to the work of their new manager, Alfred Schreuder.
Former Blackburn Rovers and Celtic striker Sutton is not expecting an easy game for Liverpool.
Their start to the season has worried him as he says “something’s amiss” at Anfield.
“I kept thinking because of what Liverpool have achieved in previous seasons that it was only a blip they were in,” Sutton wrote in his Daily Mail column.
“But with the way Napoli won 4-1 and made Liverpool’s defence look like tourists on an Italian holiday, it has become more than that. Something’s amiss there.
“From Virgil van Dijk at the back to Mohamed Salah up front, they’ve not been clicking.
“Liverpool’s players lapped up the praise when they were on song. Now we need to see how they respond when they’re hitting bum notes. Ajax will have a go.
“They’re fearless and beat Rangers 4-0 last week. There’s no time to waste for Liverpool to get their season back on track, but I fear Ajax will take something away from Anfield.”
Sutton predicted a 2-2 draw at Anfield, meaning the Reds will only have one point after two games.
Last season the Reds became the first English team to win all six of their Champions League group stage matches.
