Champions League Group D Preview: Free-scoring Atalanta a threat to Liverpool?
We have now reached the halfway point of the 2020/21 Champions League group stage. Group D is arguably one of, if not the most, exciting this season.
Liverpool, Ajax and Atalanta all favour attacking football and none are particularly solid at the back, which should make for some hugely entertaining match ups.
It could prove a long slog for Champions League debutants FC Midtjylland, who could real the brunt of some devastating attacks over the next few months.
As is the theme of these pieces, we have picked out the players to watch from Group D and also predicted where we expect each team to finish.
LIVERPOOL
Key Player: Mo Salah
Liverpool have star players all over the pitch but as far as key man is concerned it's really between Sadio Mane and Mo Salah. Both seem to take it in turns to step up but the latter is certainly more of an individual as far as Liverpool's system is concerned. Jurgen Klopp gives Salah that freedom because of his formidable output: 134 goals and assists in 146 league and European appearances.
One To Watch: Joe Gomez
Following the news Virgil van Dijk has suffered a potential season-ending knee injury, questions are now being asked of Liverpool's defence. Unable to address Van Dijk's absence in the transfer window until January at the earliest, Jurgen Klopp desperately needs Joe Gomez to put a poor start to the season behind him and lead Liverpool through what will be a nerve-wracking few weeks and months for the Reds.
Group Prediction - 1st
Virgil Van Dijk's absence certainly makes things more interesting but Jurgen Klopp will still expect his side to claim top spot. Ajax and Atalanta make for exciting opponents, and potential banana-skin fixtures, but Liverpool are Premier League champions for a reason and should really sail through to the knockout stage
AJAX
Key Player: Dusan Tadic
Ajax are producing yet another exciting crop of youngsters but Dusan Tadic remains invaluable for the Dutch giants. The 31-year-old has been superb since joining Ajax in 2018, notably playing a direct hand in 10 goals in the club's shock run to the last four of the Champions League in his first season. Tadic has scored or assisted 84 goals in as many league and European appearances for the club
One To Watch: Antony
A deal was agreed with Sao Paulo in February for Antony to join Ajax this summer in a potential club-record deal worth as much as £26.2m. Ajax have an eye for talent but their committed to Antony is a significant outlay. Early displays suggest they have unearthed another gem. The 20-year-old has three goals in five league appearances and is primed to make his Champions League debut against Liverpool
Group Prediction - 3rd
Group D is not the strongest on paper but it should produce some of the best football. Liverpool, Atalanta and Ajax all play eye-catching football, with the latter duo to battle it out for second. After disappointing in Europe last season, however, Ajax need to make big improvements this time around
ATALANTA
Key Player: Papu Gomez
Papu Gomez could easily have left Atalanta for a bigger club but will feel his decision to remain loyal has been vindicated after guiding the Serie A outfit into the Champions League in back-to-back seasons. The 32-year-old remains as key as ever, missing only five league games since August 2018 and playing a direct hand in 47 goal involvements in 75 outings in that period.
One To Watch: Cristian Romero
Signed by Juventus in 2019 after impressing at Genoa, Cristian Romero is still waiting to turn out for the Old Lady. With first-team football limited in Turin, Juventus have instead loaned him out to a direct rival in Atalanta for two years. While Atalanta score an obscene number of goals, they also let in their fare share and Romero's defensive skills will certainly be put to the test
Group Prediction: 2nd
Atalanta made history in the Champions League last season becoming the first side to make the knockout stage after losing their opening three group games. You can't count out Atalanta and they will expect to at least finish second if they can't pip a Virgil Van Dijk-less Liverpool to first
FC MIDTJYLLAND
Key Player: Pione Sisto
After four years at Celta Vigo, Pione Sisto returned to FC Midtjylland over the summer to bolster their offensive options ahead of their first ever Champions League campaign. Remarkably still only 26, Sisto arrives as one of the club’s record signings and his pace will at least give their Group D opponents something to think about. In his last European campaign for Midtjylland he scored four goals in seven appearances
One To Watch: Evander
Signed from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama on loan in 2018, FC Midtjylland wrapped up his permanent signing four months later and the 22-year-old central midfielder finished last season as the club’s top scorer, firing them to their second league title in three years. Midtjylland’s model is to buy young talent and sell for bigger fees and there is no better stage for Evander to impress than the Champions League
Group Prediction: 4th
After qualifying for the Champions League proper for the first time in their history, FC Midtjylland will no doubt be here to enjoy the experience. Drawn in the same group as Liverpool, Ajax and Atalanta, the Danish side can only dream of getting points across their six matches.
