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Liverpool began their Champions League marketing campaign with a 4-1 loss to Napoli on Wednesday evening on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Italy.
A sluggish begin from the guests noticed Victor Osimhen nearly put the Serie A aspect forward after he rounded Alisson earlier than hitting the publish, nevertheless it was simply minutes earlier than they broke the impasse courtesy of a Piotr Zielinski penalty that was awarded after James Milner’s handball.
Napoli have been handed a second spot kick after Virgil van Dijk was adjudged to have fouled Osimhen, just for Alisson’s cease to make sure the deficit would stay at a single purpose. However that wasn’t for lengthy after the Reds discovered themselves 2-0 down when André-Frank Zambo-Anguissa related with Zielinski’s move, earlier than spectacular solo work from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the left flank noticed him in the reduction of for substitute Giovanni Simeone so as to add a 3rd for the Naples aspect earlier than the half-time whistle.
Jurgen Klopp launched Joel Matip on the break, however that did little to cease the storm as Napoli scored inside 90 seconds of the restart. Regardless of Luis Diaz’s fast reply with a nice end from exterior of the field, Liverpool have been unable to seek out their manner again into the sport.
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Table of Contents
It is troublesome to seek out positives in a efficiency that was so one-sided on the evening, however Luis Diaz’s show is one thing that stood out.
The left-winger scored one more purpose from chopping in on his favoured proper foot, and he was the one participant who regarded like he may make one thing occur on the ahead line.
Liverpool began the sport too gradual and could not appear to cease a relentless Napoli aspect. The defending was naive throughout the match, whereas there did not appear to be any construction between the midfield and defensive position. A really poor show from the 21/22 Champions League runners-up.
Jurgen Klopp, 5 — Health issues could have pressured Klopp’s hand when it comes to group choice towards Napoli, however his persistence with the high-line is one thing which will must be tweaked after the way it was uncovered.
GK Alisson, 6 — There wasn’t a lot that the Liverpool goalkeeper may do about any of the objectives, having made various robust stops. He was merely let down by his defence on too many events on the evening.
DF Andy Robertson, 5 — Liverpool’s beginning left-back took some time to get going however he was one in all Liverpool’s higher gamers within the second half, as he regarded to get ahead to mix with Luis Diaz who started to function extra centrally.
DF Virgil van Dijk, 4 — The Netherlands star has to do way more to assist command Liverpool’s defensive position as probably the most skilled participant within the aspect. Jurgen Klopp’s aspect have been far and wide on the again, and that left the mountain too troublesome to climb within the second half. A clearance off the road denied Napoli within the first half, however he then conceded a penalty.
DF Joe Gomez, 4 — Nothing appeared to go proper for Joe Gomez on the evening who was caught in possession on various events, and in moments the place he did make contact, the ball appeared to divert again right into a harmful space. The 25-year-old’s positioning additionally left quite a bit to be desired. Changed at half-time for Joel Matip.
DF Trent Alexander-Arnold, 4 — A well-picked out move into the ft of Mohamed Salah on the half-hour mark nearly noticed the Egypt worldwide degree the scoring within the first half, however Alexander-Arnold was overwhelmed too simply by Kvicha Kvaratskhelia within the construct up for Napoli’s third purpose.
MF Fabinho, 5 — The Brazil worldwide could not appear to impose himself on the match, with Napoli taking part in by his press with relative ease. That issue wasn’t helped by an general poor show from Liverpool in midfield as a group.
MF James Milner, 5 — A handball contained in the field from Milner noticed Napoli awarded a penalty to edge themselves into an early lead. The skilled midfielder was careless in possession, with a lot of his lengthy balls simply handled by the Serie A aspect’s defence.
MF Harvey Elliott, 6 — Liverpool’s brightest participant in midfield as Elliott regarded to progress the ball forwards into optimistic areas. Elliott typically made the proper resolution regardless of being the Reds’ youngest participant on the sector.
FW Luis Diaz, 7 — The Colombia worldwide was Liverpool’s brightest spark on the evening, even in a sport that regarded far out of attain. His end exterior the field early within the second-half was glorious, whereas he then got here shut with a header that was effectively saved by Meret.
FW Roberto Firmino, 5 — Liverpool’s centre-forward could not get into the sport and located himself typically crowded out by defenders. An nearly nameless show from the Brazil worldwide.
FW Mohamed Salah, 5 — Salah had Liverpool’s solely actual probability of the primary half, however his effort was tame and easy for Alex Meret to save lots of. Napoli saved the Egypt worldwide quiet general, in a match the place he struggled to make an influence from the proper wing.
Joel Matip (Gomez, 45″), 6 — Launched on the break for Joe Gomez however may have accomplished extra for Napoli’s 4th purpose. Introduced the ball forwards from defence effectively, and was capable of break the traces together with his passing.
Darwin Nunez (Firmino, 62″), 6 — Nunez regarded to make runs in behind to stretch the play, however Liverpool did not discover him in house sufficient. The previous Benfica ahead’s decision-making seemed to be optimistic, and he did effectively to pick Diogo Jota late-on within the sport who could not end.
Thiago (Milner, 63″), 7 — A return from damage from Thiago noticed him add extra management to Liverpool’s midfield, an element that was desperately wanted after Napoli’s continued success. Gained the ball again on various events.
Diogo Jota (Salah, 63″), 5 — Jota discovered himself in optimistic areas however he was rapidly crowded out by defenders. Regardless, important minutes after a return from damage sustained in pre-season will likely be useful going ahead.
Arthur (Elliott, 77″) N/R — Launched for Elliott within the 77th minute in a Liverpool debut towards acquainted opposition for the on-loan Juventus midfielder, and he regarded to take pleasure in his minutes taking part in alongside Thiago.