Liverpool were back in the Champions League on Wednesday - but there was something missing before Jurgen Klopp's side walked out at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.
For the first time in four seasons, a Reds U19s side were not in action in the UEFA Youth League.
The format of the tournament usually means the fixtures in the group stage echo those of the Champions League, with group winners progressing directly to the last 16 while the eight runners-up feature in a play-off against qualifiers from a separate qualification process consisting of 32 domestic youth league champions.
However, the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic has forced UEFA to make a major change to the competition.
Instead, all 64 qualifying clubs will enter a straight knockout competition starting in March next year, with one-legged ties taking place to decide who progresses.
The semi-finals and final will be held at the Colovray Stadium in Nyon, Switzerland in May later in the year.
The UEFA Youth League has been a proving ground for a number of young Liverpool players.
Curtis Jones and Rhys Williams - who both made their Champions League debuts against Ajax - have had several years of experience in the competition, as have Neco Williams, Jake Cain and Vitezslav Jaros, who were all on the bench in Amsterdam.
Rhian Brewster, who could come up against his former club with Sheffield United on Saturday, was a key performer as the Reds reached the quarter-finals in 2018 before losing on penalties to Manchester City.
Liverpool were eliminated on spot-kicks again the following season, beaten in the round of 16 at Dinamo Zagreb, and were thumped 4-1 at Benfica at the same stage last term, a game in which Harvey Elliott, currently on loan at Blackburn Rovers, featured.
