DUSAN TADIC claims Ajax would have given Liverpool a tougher test than Spurs in the 2019 Champions League final.
Tottenham famously beat Ajax on away goals in the semi-final. before succumbing meekly to the Reds, losing 2-0.
Tadic believes that his Ajax side would have performed better than Spurs in the Champions League finalCredit: Alamy Live News
Tadic, 31, said: “It would have been nice to play them in the final. We would have had a better chance than Spurs, for sure.”
The Serb will get the chance to prove his claims tomorrow night when his side take on the Premier League champions in the first competitive fixture between the two clubs since 1966.
Despite his belief that Ajax would’ve given Liverpool a much harder test than Spurs, the club captain acknowledged that the tie won’t be easy.
He added: “But Liverpool are a difficult team to play against. It is a shame that Van Dijk won’t be playing and is injured.
“He is a good dude and I hope he has a speedy recovery.”
Boss Erik ten Hag shared Tadic’s sentiments and expressed that Liverpool will be an ‘extreme challenge’ for his side.
He said: “Liverpool will pose an extreme challenge. It is a shame the fans cannot be here.
“For Liverpool, at least four of the goals they have conceded are from deflections but that doesn’t mean they are unbeatable.
“They’re currently the best in the world. They have shown that by becoming champions in England and winning the Champions League.
“Van Dijk is missing but it will not be a different LFC. They can easily switch around with the quality of their team.
“Man A can be replaced by Man B. The whole team won’t change because of Virgil van Dijk.”
Van Dijk could be out for the rest of the season after the horror tackle from Jordan Pickford in the Merseyside derby.
A statement from Liverpool said: “No specific timescale is being placed upon his return to action at this stage.
“Following surgery, Van Dijk will begin a rehabilitation programme with the club’s medical team to enable him to reach full fitness as soon as possible.”
Jurgen Klopp says he doesn’t know how serious Van Dijk’s injury is and discusses the off-side situation
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
