Liverpool ended Napoli’s unblemished Champions League record with victory at Anfield but still had to settle for second in Group A.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were looking to bounce back from Saturday’s home defeat by Leeds United and will be boosted by late goals from Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez that ended the Serie A leaders’ 21-game unbeaten run. What did
Liverpool never looked remotely like they would need a four-goal winning margin against Napoli – who have completely dominated the group – to go top, but the three points served as a morale booster. will do
Thiago Alcantara made a first-half save from Napoli keeper Alex Merritt, while Napoli thought they had broken the deadlock after the break only to have defender Leo Östergaard’s free-kick header ruled offside after a lengthy video assistant referee. (VAR) test.
A game of few chances looked headed for a draw but Liverpool grabbed the win when Mohamed Salah scored with five minutes remaining and Nunez sealed the deal in added time.
“I would have really enjoyed the game without the goal,” Klopp told BT Sport.
“We showed a reaction tonight. Being compact makes all the difference. We have challenges in the right places and it’s difficult to play against them. You see what Napoli are capable of at the moment.
“It was a really good game for us. A lot of guts and bravery, facing challenges and fighting it out. Two set pieces bring us points and 15 points in a Champions League group is crazy.”
Connett Shows His Class.
Liverpool’s defensive frailty, not helped by a struggling midfield, has been a feature of their disappointing start to the season but Ibrahim Konate showed what he has been missing as he lifted the Champions League. Confirmed a slot in the last 16.
Connett suffered a pre-season knee injury that saw him miss the start of the campaign, then was sidelined again with another muscle problem that left Liverpool without him at the rearguard. looked badly at the struggle of
The 23-year-old France defender bounced back against a formidable Napoli attack and put in a brilliant display as Liverpool looked more secure than they have in recent times.
Konate’s defensive quality along with Virgil van Dijk kept the dangerous Victor Oisemah at bay, showing composure, pace and physical presence to hand Napoli a rare taste of defeat.
It’s true that Napoli weren’t at their most devastating and knew it would take something really special from Liverpool to top this group, but the class shown by Connett made it clear that manager Jurgen Klopp Why would hope this talented young defender could get hurt now? – Free run for the rest of the season.
Liverpool Bounce Back
Liverpool’s form and approach have been called into question after defeats to struggling Nottingham Forest and Leeds United – criticism justified by how poor they have been, a shadow of a team that spent almost all of last season. Part spent in pursuit of a historic quadruple.
Klopp’s side will be very entertained by beating Napoli, although context must be given in that the Italians knew that defeat by just a four-goal margin would make a difference in the group standings.
It removed a huge element of danger from the group, with Liverpool’s goals coming so late that Anfield never had a chance to get caught up in any sort of frenzy of anticipation.
It was, however, an example of what Liverpool can do but also showed the two faces of their season so far. They have beaten Manchester City and Napoli goalless at Anfield but have also suffered damaging losses against teams who have struggled in the early part of this term, with losses to Manchester United and Arsenal. They have severely punished two teams. recent seasons.
Liverpool looked more secure at the back, surviving a VAR scare when Odegard thought he had scored, then ending the match with two late goals which manager Klopp, his players and Will act as a real mood changer for club followers. Who are very disappointed with their form so far this season.
Consistency is key now and Liverpool face a serious test of their credentials when they travel to Tottenham, who tasted victory in Marseille that saw them win their group, in a Premier League tie on Sunday. Took
