Liverpool 1-1 Napoli
I covered this match last season.
It was arguably a turning point in the Merseysiders’ European fortunes as they sealed qualification for the last 16 and confidently embarked on a run which ultimately saw them crowned European champions for the sixth time.
An important Alisson Becker save late on was arguably the turning point in their Champions League campaign.
Yet while Napoli bowed out, it is also clear to me that under the guile of seasoned campaigner Carlo Ancelotti, they are no pushovers and have already shown Liverpool this season that they can punch above their weight.
So perhaps the fact this contest ended in an honourable draw – both sides are still favourites to progress to the last 16 – should not come as too much of a surprise.
Highlights of the game
The Champions League 2019 betting odds had naturally backed the hosts.
Napoli had not won in their last six games and their players are set to be fined by the club’s president for not attending a training camp this month.
“Breakage points everywhere,” was how one article described the situation at the club.
In contrast, Liverpool had won both their previous home European games against Napoli, winning 3-1 in the 2010-11 Europa League and 1-0 in last season’s Champions League and have only lost once so far this season.
On the team sheets, the big Champions League 2019 news was the return of Mo Salah after recovering from an ankle problem, although he struggled to make an impact in the game.
Further up the park, the club will hope the injury which saw Fabinho limp off early on is not serious as it is this SBOBET observer’s belief that he is the club’s leading midfielder.
In a match of few clear-cut chances, Dries Mertens beat the offside trap to expertly finish from a tight angle following a clever Giovanni Di Lorenzo ball as Napoli took a 21st-minute lead.
Di Lorenzo was playing in a more advanced role than usual after Jose Callejon was surprisingly dropped.
There was some initial confusion as home centre-back Virgil van Dijk stayed down for some time and there was a VAR check, but Mertens only nudged the defender during the jump rather than fouled him.
Although Liverpool didn’t need to win to keep their destiny in their own hands, they were far from their best and laboured in seeking a strong reaction with Napoli’s playmaking them frustrated and occasionally desperate.
Indeed, Jurgen Klopp was increasingly agitated on the touchline and was booked for dissent.
They did go close to an equaliser on the stroke of half-time when James Milner’s shot was kept out at the near post. And after the restart, the towering figure of Kalidou Koulibaly cleared Roberto Firmino’s effort off the line.
The home side deservedly equalised when Dejan Lovren headed home from a Milner corner just after the hour mark, but despite dominating possession and a late push, the Napoli defence held firm to earn a point and goalkeeper Alex Meret was barely called into action in front of a disciplined defence.
A point apiece, a goal apiece – both these clubs should be in the draw for the last 16 next month.
In fact, I’d put your money on it!
Key statistics
Mertens has been directly involved in 17 goals in his last 18 Champions League starts (13 goals, four assists), including five in this campaign alone (four goals, one assist).
Milner has 11 assists in the Champions League since the start of the 2017-18 campaign; no player has provided more.
Liverpool have won six of their eight home European Cup/Champions League games against Italian opposition – the only other exception was a 2-1 defeat by Fiorentina in December 2009 under Rafael Benitez.
Klopp has lost three Champions League games against Ancelotti, his joint-most against an opposing manager along with Arsene Wenger.
This was Napoli’s 10th away match in England – they have won none of them (drawn two, lost eight).
Ancelotti was the last manager to win an away Champions League match at Anfield against Liverpool, leading Real Madrid to a 3-0 win in October 2014. No manager has won more away Champions League games in England than Ancelotti (three – level with Jose Mourinho and Massimiliano Allegri).
What’s next?
This was the first of three successive home matches for Liverpool who host Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday (November 30) and then Everton in a Merseyside derby next midweek.
Napoli host Bologna in Serie A on Sunday.
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