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Rio Ferdinand has chosen Ajax’s next two rising stars after Liverpool opened their Champions League campaign with a 1-0 win over the Dutch team.
Jurgen Klopp’s side added three points thanks to a rare own goal by Nicolas Tagliafico and a determined defensive performance despite the absence of the injured Virgil van Dijk.
Fabinho stood out alongside Joe Gomez in the middle, while Curtis Jones continued his progression with 45 minutes in midfield, and Klopp brought his second-string attack during the final half hour of the game.
This is not the Ajax team that surprised Real Madrid and Juventus on their way to the semi-finals of the Champions League two seasons ago, with the stars of that team now spread across some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
Matthijs de Ligt joined Juve, Frenkie de Jong left for Barcelona, Hakim Ziyech is now at Chelsea and Donny van de Beek joined Manchester United this summer.
(Image: BT Sport)
But after watching Ajax lose by just one goal on Wednesday, Ferdinand highlighted two young stars who could soon be drawing admiring glances from the continent’s bigwigs.
He praised 20-year-old central defender Perr Schuurs for his role in keeping Liverpool’s three forwards calm, and 18-year-old midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who refused to be fooled by Gini Wijnaldum, Jones and James Milner.
“Young center-back Schuurs was very, very good,” said the former United defender. BT sport .
(Image: Getty Images)
“They gave him a turn for the goal, but I think a 20-year-old who plays Liverpool front row the way he did, I thought he was a good replacement for De Ligt.”
“He’s not a direct replacement, he’s only been out for a year, but someone who can come in and take that mantle.
On Gravenberch, Ferdinand said: “I think the other guy from midfielder Gravenberch was very good.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
“He looked very confident, really cool on the ball. The youngest player to play for Ajax, when he was 16, he beat Clarence Seedorf’s record. He looked very cool and used to this level.”
Atalanta beat Danish Midtjylland 4-0 away from home in the other Group D clash on Wednesday. The Serie A team will host Ajax next Tuesday, while Liverpool host Midtjylland.
The Reds will play Ajax again at Anfield on December 1.
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