Liverpool vs Ajax preview: Klopp to play '11 fittest players' as Reds look to secure knockout spot

Jurgen Klopp is not thinking about the possibility of resting his stars should Liverpool secure their Champions League knockout spot against Ajax tonight.

The German, 53, knows victory will confirm the Reds' progress to the last 16 prior to their final Group D game with Midtjylland next week.

But as Liverpool’s injury problems continue — with James Milner the latest to be ruled out by a hamstring problem — Klopp claims he will just play his 11 fittest players.

Asked about the potential for rest and rotation in future outings, he said: "I don't look at that perspective.

"We deal with the situation as it is. Three points would be great and it would help us massively.

"It's an important game against a really good team and that's how we want to approach it. 

"I don't have enough players to do that. We played two days ago. The fittest players I have will be on the pitch because I don't have enough players.

"In these intense periods the players spend more time with them [medical staff and masseurs] than with me on the pitch because we can't train a lot. 

"It's a busy time for those staff and for all of us for sure."

Klopp (pictured above) has confirmed Thiago Alcantara is still not close to returning, while Trent Alexander-Arnold, Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri are all progressing but not yet fit.

Jordan Henderson, however, is available ahead of what is Ajax’s first trip to Anfield since 1967.

Erik ten Hag’s men sit level with Atalanta — two points behind Liverpool — and have won their last six games in all competitions, scoring 23 times in the process.

They will have to make do without former Manchester United defender Daley Blind, who is unlikely to play due to a hamstring problem.

Did you know?

Since losing their first ever game against a Dutch team in European competition (5-1 vs Ajax in December 1966), Liverpool have gone unbeaten in 14 subsequent outings against teams from the Netherlands.

Ajax have not lost any of their last five away games against English sides in the Champions League, with their most recent such trip being an entertaining 4-4 draw against Chelsea in November 2019.

Since the start of 2017-18, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is one of only four players to have scored 20+ goals in the Champions League (21), along with Robert Lewandowski (31), Cristiano Ronaldo (26) and Lionel Messi (24).