Anfield hero Dirk Kuyt believes it's only a matter of time before Jurgen Klopp gets it right again at Liverpool.
And the Dutchman has warned Ajax that Tuesday night in the Champions League is the perfect occasion for Klopp’s team to prove they are not a spent force. Liverpool are reeling after a poor start to the Premier League campaign and painful European lesson at the hands of Napoli.
But Kuyt, who became a big favourite with the Kop during his six years on Merseyside, has told the Eredivisie champions that the Reds are never more dangerous than when they’re on the back foot. Kuyt, who is having a tough time himself having taken charge of ADO Den Haag in the summer, said: “I am confident that Klopp will get Liverpool back on track.
“He is still searching for the right mechanism in midfield and in attack. That doesn't surprise me after the departure of Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich and the arrival of Benfica striker Darwin Nunez. They are two completely different types of striker.
“If the club is having a bad time, like this period, the crowd often creates an atmosphere of invincibility. I would be very surprised if Ajax can play well against Liverpool under that intense pressure.”
Kuyt added: “At Anfield, I have seen even the greatest teams with the most experienced top players lose the plot. As a Liverpool player, you're boosted by the noise. Then an energy is released and there's no stopping you.
“On the pitch, there is no escaping the noise. Because of the way the crowd reacts, you even become alert to a chance or when a dangerous situation threatens. They help you as a Liverpool player to anticipate certain situations.”
Kuyt was a key part of Rafa Benitez’s team when the Spaniard guided Liverpool to a second Champions League final meeting with AC Milan in the space of three seasons in 2007. He scored the Reds’ goal in a 2-1 defeat as the Italians took revenge for their spectacular defeat in Istanbul in 2005.
But it was a thumping victory over Real Madrid in 2009 that became his standout memory. Kuyt recalled: “The great Real had (Arjen) Robben and (Wesley) Sneijder in the team and (Rafael) Van der Vaart on the bench.
“They wanted to give us a thrashing after a 1-0 defeat in Madrid. Sergio Ramos was in and so were Fabio Cannavaro, Iker Casillas, Raul and Gonazalo Higuain. But we went over those guys like a bulldozer, with Ryan Babel, Steven Gerard, Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso. End result: 4-0 - and I tell you now, they got away with that mercifully.”
Liverpool have already been beaten by Manchester United and dropped points against Fulham, Crystal Palace and Everton. And while Klopp’s plans have been hit by injuries, the 4-1 battering in Naples was such a shock that questions are being asked about the German’s future at Anfield.
Kuyt is also under the cosh in Holland, with ADO struggling at the bottom end of the second division after appointing the former Dutch international in the summer. Kuyt said: “If Jurgen and I stick to our vision, then the change will come.
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“That is the most important thing to hold on to - I have learned from all the top managers I have spoken with. In the summer, Erik ten Hag told me this when we met at the airport in Ibiza when we were on our holidays.
“Liverpool have trouble with teams who play with fast attackers on the counter. I don't see Ajax adapting in that way. I expect an open game and because of the present attacking qualities, a game full of goals. I think of a 3-1 or 4-2 win for Liverpool.
“Everyone now sees Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Bayern Munich as the biggest contenders for the Champions League. But watch out because Liverpool will join that list of candidates. I'm convinced of that.”
