Chelsea and Liverpool lucky in their individual fixtures in the last of Matchday 5
Liverpool 1-1 Napoli
The boys from Naples kept the champions of Europe humble in their encounter at the fortress Anfield. The home side had a frenzy of issues happen in the space of 15 minutes which ultimately cost them two points.
Losing the most important player (Fabinho) to their winning system early in the game. Then immediately getting hit with a great counter-attacking move, controversially led by Dries Mertens that was the Italians first and only goal of the game.
Not the first time the Reds have gone down first. So not that unusual that all were under the impression the comeback was on and the final whistle was still far away, “Liverpool’s probably got this”.
Strangely on Wednesday night, it was a funny night at Anfield. Tense and intermitted is what most of the Liverpool players showcased. Unlikely errors in front of goal from usually assured players. Miss passes all over the pitch. Losing the second ball. It was just not going right for the Reds.
Thankfully for Klopp, one of his old boys were having one of his best games this season. Dejan Lovren levelled for the manager and the momentum was with the home side.
This also a controversial moment. After the goal, a couple of final changes and it was all Liverpool.
Mostly down to Napoli
As stated earlier, Ancelotti nearly got it spot on and a 100% record was almost recorded by Napoli over the home side this Champions League run. But it is a tough ask to keep Liverpool from scoring at Anfield, especially getting them to lose.
Nonetheless, Napoli did ever so well to starve Liverpool’s front three’s supply from the midfield. They also launched several threatening counter-attacks that came to nothing cause, for the most part, expecting one occasion, the Reds were equally as good at stopping their threats.
The game had many contentious moments that have brought VAR into question once again. Not surprised. However the result a fair one between Liverpool and Napoli.
Liverpool have a tough challenge against Red Bull Salzburg in their next fixture. They take on this high-scoring team at the Red Bull Arena in Austria. The reverse fixture saw Liverpool win by a narrow margin (4-3) in a seven-goal thriller.
One point is needed for qualification and three points for maximum insurance. Can Klopp do it against a side that owns a striker that’s scored in every of his last five Champions League outings?
He says he can and that he trusts the boys to do the job.