Napoli vs Liverpool
Champions League Group E
8:00pm Tuesday 17th September
San Paolo
(Att: 38878)
Goals in Fernando Llorente and Dries Mertens earned a 2-0 success to Napoli as Liverpool produced a slow start.
For the next season in a row, the side of Jurgen Klopp were defeated at the group point in Naples – final October that they lost 1-0 – and it was more sloppy defending which saw that the Group E match slip away from them.
The Reds had defended stoutly against several ongoing pressure from the side, but were unlucky to be penalized after Jose Callejon skipped inside of Andy Robertson before making the majority of touch with the Liverpool defender and, even when a VAR review failed to give the people a reprieve, Dries Mertens took advantage to conquer Adrian from the place.
Since Liverpool pushed to get a late equaliser, well into five moments of added-on time Fernando Llorente doubled the lead by an uncommon Virgil van Dijk mistake, profiting as soon as the defender’s mis-hit pass hurried into his route and he slotted the ball home to spark wild celebrations in your house bench with victory sealed – and also the reigning champions beaten in their first match for the very first time because AC Milan in 1994.
Liverpool were hoping for better than their limp showing in the Stadio San Paolo last year, but found themselves caught on the break early on when, as they’d have feared, Lorenzo Insigne found space in supporting Trent Alexander-Arnold, but from his pull-back Fabian twice pulled easy stands from Adrian from a good position.
Liverpool reacted when Jordan Henderson’s lob found Sadio Mane unmarked on the edge of the box, however, his thick touch took him wide of Alex Meret’s post and, from a tight angle, so it was simple enough for the goalkeeper to turn his effort round the post along with his thighs.
There was more to shout about from both sides before the break although it required a last-gasp challenge from Alexander-Arnold to take the ball off the foot of Insigne as he prepared to shoot.
The second half didn’t take to glow up. It was less than four minutes old when Liverpool were indebted to some world-class rescue to remain level, together with the goalkeeper tipping over Mertens’ far-post suggestion when he seemed sure to score.
Their entrance three looked out of sorts, when the people did get chances to strike; it was ended up when Mane hung on the ball as long before over-hitting across a simple pass into the devious Mo Salah, since Liverpool broke.
When Callejon chose a fall from Robertson liverpool were made to rue those attacks that were misfiring, the Warriors pointed to the spot and the corner was located by Mertens, even though a commendable effort.
It was looking like a case of deja vu for Liverpool at this point, but matters got worse in additional time when Van Dijk’s uncharacteristic mistake set up Llorente, who had been around the defeated Spurs aspect in last season’s closing, to slot under Adrian and seal three points for the hosts.
Former Liverpool defender Phil Babb told The Debate:”It had been comfortable, they made opportunities, I believe they had four on target which was an improvement from last year when they just had one, so I think. However, it wasn’t a Liverpool functionality that is standard; we did not see Andy Robertson or Trent bombing .
“Sadio Mane appeared sharp, Mo Salah looked sharp occasionally, they did create chances but it was a masterclass from Kalidou Koulibaly – that was just similar to the Virgil van Dijk of past year, also Liverpool got no joy out of him. It was a few sucker-punches.
“After that Adrian save, you believed yeah, coming out of this 0-0, it is a good point, but sadly they lost it”
Liverpool are live on Super Sunday when they visit Chelsea from the 4.30pm kick-off, on Sky Sports Premier League.
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