following the first leg, shankly was adamant that liverpool would still progress: "this tie is by no means over yet. we will win easily. we will smash in at least seven goals. this was ridiculous. ajax played defensive football on their own ground. we never play well against defensive teams." such was the shock at the result that shankly's claim was taken seriously. the defeat convinced shankly that adopting ajax's patient, passing style was the key to success in europe. the defeat is still liverpool's record defeat in european competition. michels was worried that liverpool might adopt aggressive tactics in the second leg: "our fear is that liverpool may try to eliminate us through rough play. they showed some of this rough play in the first leg and they will play even harder in front of their own supporters". he also admitted that his side had some luck in the first leg but was adamant they would progress: "there are not many great players in this liverpool side, but they are all fighters. i agree we had some luck in amsterdam, but i am sure we will go through."