Ajax manager Erik Ten Haag believes midfielder Mohammed Kudus could have offered more attacking threat to his side in their UEFA Champions League Group D opener against Liverpool on Wednesday night.
The Ghana ace lasted only six minutes after picking up an injury early in the game as the Dutch giants lost 1-0 to the six times European champions at the Johan Cryuff Arena.
Ajax created more chances up front but lacked the cutting edge and ingenuity the 20-year-old adds to the team in the match last night. He was replaced by Quincy Promes.
"With Quincy Promes you can have the same battle plan, only with slightly different qualities. It's a shame for Mo (Kudus, ed.), But also for us, because he is in good shape. He could have caused problems in the defense of Liverpool," said Ten Haag after the game.
The budding midfielder has already bagged two Man-of-the-Match gongs from his first four matches for the club in the ongoing Dutch Eredivisie.
The Ghana international was hoping to convey his swashbuckling form to Europe after he was named in coach Erik Ten Hag’s starting line up against Liverpool at the Johan Cruyff Stadion on Wednesday.
However, the midfielder lasted just six-minute in the encounter due to injury.
Kudus and Brazilian midfielder Fabinho had a knee to knee collision and the Ghanaian came off worse.
He was replaced with Dutch international Quincy Promes.
Ajax are yet to determine the extent of the injury but the capital-based side will hope it’s not severe.
Kudus has plundered 1 goal and registered 3 assists for the club so far this season.
