http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N141201030801-1031.htm 01 August 2003 : by Chris Smith Liverpoolfc.tv pick out three Ajax players who the Reds will need to pay special attention to in the Amsterdam Arena tonight. As well as ex-Liverpool striker Jari Litmanen, Ronald Koeman has an array of young stars at his disposal which are helping bring the great club back to prominence after reaching the Champions League quarter-finals last season. Here are three players in particular that Liverpool fans should be watchful of. Zlatan Ibrahimovic Born: Malmo, Sweden Date of Birth: 3/10/1981 Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the current darling of the Amsterdam crowd after fansite Ajax Network, voted him the club's Player of the Season. Zlatan became the most expensive player to come out of Sweden when he signed for Ajax from Malmo for 85 million SEK (￡6.5m) in March 2001. He scored 6 goals in 24 appearances in his first campaign as Ajax secured the League Championship. He made a greater impact in the 2002/03 campaign, scoring 12 goals in the Endivisie and another 5 en-route to the Champions League quarter -finals. He was, however suspended for five games in April for striking an opponent in the face after struggling to break from his attentions. Since Henrik Larsson's retirement from International football, Imbrahimovic has become a regular for the national team and his talents are currently being coveted by the likes of Lyon and Roma. Ajax have placed a 25m price tag upon his head. Rafael van der Vaart. Born: Heemskerk, Netherland. Date of Birth: 11/2/1983 A reported Liverpool target of seasons past, van der Vaart is a very talented wide player, who first shot to prominence in the 2000/01 season after making his debut against FC Den Bosch in April 2001. In his second full season he netted 14 goals in 20 games in displaced Ajax legend Richard Witschge in midfield as Ajax scooped the League and Cup double. Rafael made his international debut in October 2001 against Andorra. Van de Vaart suffered a serious knee injury in February 2002, whichrequired two surgeries, but was still voted the Endivisie's Young Player of the Year. He suffered a thigh injury in early 2002/03, but recovered to help Ajax's quest for Champions League glory. Steven Pienaar: Born: Johannesburg, South Africa Date of Birth: 17/3/82 Renowned for his sensational right foot, Steven Piennar is the latest sensation in South African Football and featured in the World Cup in 2002. The creative midfielder joined Ajax of Amsterdam in January 2001 from Ajax of Capetown, one of the many clubs worldwide that were set-up to nurture young talent for the Dutch outfit. The 21-year old finished as the club's 4th best player as voted for by the fans last season and big things are expected from him. -- 有心 沒心 心在芬蘭 多情 薄情 情繫 Ajax --

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