Liverpool defeat Napoli but fail to top Champions League group

Liverpool defeated Napoli 2-0 at Anfield with two late goals but missed out on topping Champions League Group A by a single goal.

Photo: Stephen Gormley (Red Eye Photo Agency)

Napoli travelled to Liverpool as the in-form team in Europe with both an unbeaten domestic and European record in tact while scoring goals for fun with 50 in all competitions, including 20 in their five previous Champions League matches.

Napoli started the match off strongly and were in control of the game for the first quarter. They were looking sharper, stronger in the tackle and their passing was more fluid than the home side. However despite their sleek football they didn’t really give Liverpool’s keeper Allison too much trouble.

The Reds managed to work their way into the game with the help of a noisy home support. Mo Salah slipped in Curtis from a tight angle who tried to pop it over the on-rushing goalkeeper but also managed to just to clip it over the bar.

Shortly after half time Napoli’s Norwegian defender Leo Skiri Østigård scored a header from a free kick. However VAR ruled out the goal for off-side.

The match continued to remain goal-less and the deadlock wasn’t broken until the 84th minute. Van Dyke had a powerful header from a corner saved but Mo Salah was there to score to edge the home side in front. In doing so Salah equalled the all-time European goal scoring record for Liverpool of 41 goals set by Steven Gerrard.

The late goal gave Liverpool the confidence to play the ball around a little bit sharper and they managed to grab a second and secure the win late in stoppage time.

Another Liverpool corner was met by a powerful header by Van Dyke and Nunez managed to prod it over the line in the 97th minute. The celebrations were momentarily cut short for offside, but in the end the goal was given following a consultation with VAR.

There was no time left however for Liverpool to grab a third goal to overtake Napoli to the top spot in the group courtesy of a better head-to-head record on away goals (Napoli defeated Liverpool 4-1 back in early September in Naples). Despite the defeat, Napoli will take the seeded place in the last 16 draw of the UEFA Champions League when the draw takes place in Nyon on Monday.