Ajax - 0 Liverpool - 0:Triangular tournament: Liverpool made an inauspicious start to their opening game in the Amsterdam Tournament, grinding out a draw with hosts Ajax. The game proved a great contrast to the competition's opening match in which a slick Inter Milan defeated Galatasaray 3-0.

Up-and-coming Ajax striker Rafael van der Vaart was the star of the show, tearing Liverpool apart with several attempts on goal for last season's Dutch championship runners-up.

Liverpool new signing Harry Kewell, making his second start for the Anfield side following his £5 million switch from Leeds in July, alternated between right and central midfield and showed some of his trademark flashes of brilliance, but the main talking point for Reds fans will have been their lack of real creativity.

Ronald Koeman's side started in positive fashion, with van der Vaart linking well with Wamberto to produce a close-range shot on goal, but Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzey Dudek calmly stopped his attempt.

Minutes later, a second van der Vaart attempt from the edge of the box eluded Liverpool skipper Sami Hyppia but his effort flew wide.

Towards the end of the opening half hour, Ajax's early verve and impetus appeared to slow down as Liverpool took a greater hold on the game - but it was only a short-lived period of dominance for Gerard Houllier's side.

Van der Vaart's effort just three minutes from half-time almost stopped Liverpool hearts. He produced a brilliant turn in front of goal, his effort only failing after a punch from Dudek.

In the tournament's earlier match, Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins scored twice as Inter Milan eased to victory over Galatasaray.

Inter, who finished second last season in Italy's Serie A, were without a host of leading players including strikers Hernan Crespo and Christian Vieri.