Preview: Liverpool vs. Ajax

A depleted Reds side look to book their ticket to the knockout
stages of the Champions League

Liverpool vs Ajax

| Tuesday, December 1st |Champions League | Anfield8PM BST /
3PM EST

It’s been a rough week for Liverpool, with a dour loss to
Atalanta mid-week followed up by dropping two points to Brighton
and that last-gasp penalty on Saturday, but the Reds will look to
boost their spirits by securing early qualification from Group D
with a win or draw tomorrow night.

Since their 0-1 loss to the Reds at the Johan Cruijff ArenA a
month ago, Ajax have been nearly perfect, winning twice and drawing
once in Europe, and winning five straight in the Eredvisie, putting
up a 31-2(!) goal difference in that span. As a result, they sit
first in their domestic league after ten games, and only two points
behind tomorrow’s hosts in Group D, with a genuine chance at
qualifying to the next round.

The exciting Mohammed Kudus limped off early in the reverse
fixture with a meniscus injury and has yet to return to action, but
otherwise, Erik ten Hag boasts a full and healthy squad and will
fancy his chances at a result at Anfield.

Projected Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)

Alisson; Fabinho, Matip, Williams, Tsimikas; Henderson, Jones,
Wijnaldum; Mané, Firmino, Salah

The same cannot be said for Jürgen Klopp, whose side has been
decimated by injuries in recent weeks, and who has been forced into
a series of less than ideal lineup decisions as a result. Trent
Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, and Virgil van Dijk remain
unavailable, while Andrew Robertson has played more minutes than
any other Red this season and should probably be given a rest at
some point.

As a result, a start for Kostas Tsimikas seems plausible, while
Rhys Williams could be reinstated alongside Joël Matip who was
rested at the weekend. At right-back, it is uncertain if Neco
Williams is particularly well-served by continuing to start at this
point, and with James Milner missing out with a hamstring issue,
Fabinho might deputise at right-back.

That of course causes further trouble upstream, as Jordan
Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum and Curtis Jones are now the only
healthy midfielders available. Naby Keïta could be subject of a
matchday decision but is unlikely to start.

Up top, Sadio Mané played only half an hour at the weekend,
while Mohamed Salah got a full hour, so both will probably start,
alongside either Roberto Firmino or Diogo Jota, depending on
fitness and strategic factors.

What the Managers Said

Jürgen Klopp: “Ajax Amsterdam is a really good
side and since our game is flying pretty much through the league.
Big results, clear top of the table, very talented, some players
coming back – these kind of things. Yes, I expect a close
game.”

Erik ten Hag: “”

The Officials (GER)

Referee: Tobias StielerAssistant
referees: Mike Pickel, Christian GittelmannFourth
official: Marco FritzVAR: Bastian
Dankert, Harm Osmers

Kickoff is set for 8PM GMT/3PM EST tomorrow, and television
listings for the match can be found on LiveSoccerTV.

In the meantime, and as always, we’ll be keeping you updated
with all the buildup to the game, including team news as it’s
released, our live matchday thread, and post-match recaps from The
Liverpool Offside staff. If you want to join the discussion, sign
up for an SB Nation account to have your say on the action as it
happens.

*Claims baseless Says UBTH

A Benin-based human rights activist, Patriot Patrick Eholor, has
threatened to sue the Management of the University of Benin
Teaching Hospital (UBTH) over the alleged extortion and corrupt
practices in regards to COVID-19 testing procedure.

Eholor, who is also founder, One Love Foundation, narrating his
alleged ordeal at the hands of staff of the Teaching Hospital on
Monday, said he was compelled to pay N30,000 for the test and
another N375 for what they termed administrative costs.

‘I will soon be traveling overseas and in strict compliance with
acquisition of COVID-19 certification, I went to UBTH to undertake
the compulsory test only to be asked to pay N30,000 as test
cost.

‘As if that was not insulting enough because health is supposed
to be free for every Nigerian, as enshrined in the Constitution, I
went and paid the N30,000.

‘On getting to the cash registry, I was told that there is a
service charge for additional N375. And I asked what it was
for?

‘The cashiers answered and said it was government regulations,
that the hospital management is partnering with some firms who
process theirn forms.’

The activist said he sees that action as ‘fraudulent and
preposterous. I saw a lot of people, even children ,there who were
helpless, as they were unable to afford to pay the excess charges
of the COVID-19 test.

‘So, I am compelled to take them to court, I am going to sue the
Hospital Management to make them explain to us why they are putting
the burden on us because I also know that the Central Bank of
Nigeria, (CBN), has directed that no service charge should be more
than sixty five kobo in any transaction…

‘I know that over time the CBN has directed that COT and other
excessive charges be reduced considerably , to abort exploitation
of the public by Bankers who thereafter invest the funds to buy
properties in high brow estates abroad.’

Eholor said this corruption must be stopped, while those who are
partnering with government to perpetuate this evil must be
investigated as the ordinary citizens of this great nation are very
pained, hence he is instituting the legal process to address the
issue.

Eholor said he has briefed his lawyer, an Abuja-based legal
luminary, Mr Ihensekhien, Esq., to file an action against the UBTH
and CBN to explain their actions to the public why they are
exploiting innocent Nigerians.

Eholor who presented copies of the payment vouchers to
Journalists in Benin said it would have been very calamitous if he
could not complete the process of the COVID-19 test as he did not
have the extra cash on him and he had to plead with one Miss
Gladys, a complete stranger, who agreed for money to be transferred
into her account at the hospital, where she then withdrew the money
for him to pay for the test.

He asked if he “did not meet that lady or could not afford the
cost ? Would he have been allowed to suffer unjustly like
others?’

He likened the situation at the UBTH to the contract at the
Lekki Epe Tollgate and others where an influential elite received
all the royalties and remit pittance to the government which led to
the alleged massacre during the recent #EndSARS protests.

On whether he finds out from the Management of the Hospital
whether the controversial charges were official, he said he indeed
made a lot of enquires at the hospital and nobody said the
contrary.

He said he wants them to as a matter of urgent public importance
look at the problem as other countries are conducting this Covid 19
test for free, emphasizing the dreaded monster was still killing
people globally .

Responding to the allegation, the Public Relations Officer,
UBTH, Mr Uwaila Joshua, said his allegations were baseless and that
COVID-19 test in UBTH is free for everyone who meets NCDC
guidelines on testing.

Uwaila also said for someone who doesn’t meet the requirement
and insists on getting tested, he cannot get the benefit of free
testing.