LIVERPOOL beat Napoli 2-0 in their final Champions League group stage game tonight courtesy of late goals from Mo Salah and Darwin Nunez.
The Reds were already through to the knockout stages but their second place finish in the group has now been confirmed.
- RESULT: Liverpool 2-0 Napoli
- Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Fabinho, Milner, Thiago, Jones, Salah, Firmino
- Napoli XI: Meret, Di Lorenzo, Ostigard, Kim, Olivera, Ndombele, Lobotka, Zambo Anguissa, Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
The evolution of Liverpool’s attack
Darwin Nunez makes a difference to this Liverpool team, giving them a presence they have been lacking in a front man.
Even when he plays on the left in the hole Mane’s departure and Diaz’s injury have left, at set pieces he is an old-fashioned forward who loves roughing up defenders.
Always looking to cut in from the left onto his right foot, drop that shoulder and unleash a shot towards goal.
He is a formidable header of the ball and it was clear his introduction today swung the game in the favour of The Reds.
Always looking for a break of the ball, this was underlined as he poked van Dijk’s saved effort in on the line at the end.
Reds romp through to last 16
Jurgen Klopp takes his Liverpool side to the knockout phase for the sixth successive time of his management.
Despite finishing second in the group, nobody will want to face them in the next round.
They will now look to take confidence from this win into their Premier League campaign.
Five alive for the Egyptian King
Mohamed Salah made it five goals in five consecutive UEFA Champions League games this evening.
The first time the Liverpool forward has achieved this.
He is now only one goal behind Didier Drogba as the highest-scoring African in the history of the competition.
FT: Liverpool 2-0 Napoli
The Italians have suffered their first defeat in 21 games.
Jurgen Klopp’s side bounce back to make it five wins in a row since losing to Napoli on matchday one.
They kept on going until the end and made sure Anfield remains a fortress in Europe at least.
Liverpool 2-0 Napoli
90+9. Another ridiculously long VAR check.
Cancelled out for offside by the linesman but the replays show he was easily onside, played on by Zielinski.
Nunez ensures Liverpool get back to winning ways.
Goal – Darwin Nunez (Liverpool)
Liverpool 1-0 Napoli
90+6. This will be Napoli’s first defeat since February.
While the Italians will still top the group, Liverpool get some form of revenge for the drubbing they got in Naples.
They need to ensure they keep a clean sheet now.
Liverpool 1-0 Napoli
90+4. This will be a big confidence boost to Jurgen Klopp’s side going into the Tottenham game on the weekend.
‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ rings from the terraces.
Nunez does well again and squares it for Salah for what seems like a tap in.
Brilliant defending from Östigard to get a touch before Salah to put it behind for a corner.
Nunez is booked from the resulting corner for throwing an opponent to the floor.
Liverpool 1-0 Napoli
90+2. Napoli haven’t given up hope yet.
Getting the ball out wide on the right they ping a cross into the box which isn’t completely dealt with by Liverpool.
The second ball drops to Raspadoria inside the box but his effort aiming for the top corner goes well over the upright.
Liverpool 1-0 Napoli
90. We are going to have seven additional minutes.
This game is still far from over.
Napoli will still top the group failing three quick Liverpool goals.
Liverpool 1-0 Napoli
88. Liverpool are growing in confidence now.
Ramsay finds Salah who feeds Carvalho.
He pokes at the shot and it goes over the bar but that was a good, flowing move by The Reds.
Liverpool 1-0 Napoli
86. Well we are still not 100% sure whose goal that is.
Nunez met the corner with a thumping header which it seemed the keeper clawed out before it went behind the line.
Salah followed up and the keeper saved it again but this time it seems he couldn’t prevent Salah’s prod from crossing the line.
Goal – Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Liverpool 0-0 Napoli
84. Kim does well again to prevent Salah coming forward.
Napoli have been a solid defensive unit as well as dangerous attacking side this season.
This is why they sit top of Group A and Serie A.
Liverpool 0-0 Napoli
82. Spalletti continues to bark instructions from the touchline.
Much like Klopp he is such an animated manager.
It is a great watch when the quality on the pitch dips a little.
Kvaratskhelia comes off for Elmas.
Liverpool 0-0 Napoli – Salah chance
80. Liverpool were probing again, looking to get balls into the Napoli box.
Alexander-Arnold shoots but his shot is blocked.
As the ball is struck back towards goal, Salah gets a toe to it but the keeper manages to save the ball above his head.
Liverpool 0-0 Napoli
78. We may get to that point tonight with both sides settle for the draw.
Napoli remain unbeaten in the group, Liverpool continue their form since that heavy defeat in Italy.
Nunez seems keen to make an impact from the bench as he bursts forward at pace down the left again.
Liverpool 0-0 Napoli
76. It has all gone a bit quiet here now.
Liverpool come forward with Salah, but his ball to Elliott sees the youngster give the ball away.
Fabinho commits a foul to prevent the break.
Liverpool 0-0 Napoli
74. Attacking substitution by Jurgen Klopp.
Trent Alexander-Arnold gets booked for timewasting.
Foul throws and timewasting at 0-0.
New levels Trent.
Liverpool 0-0 Napoli
72. The closest we have come to a goal in this second half was that VAR debacle we endured for what seemed like an age.
These two teams seem to have cancelled each other out so far this evening.
Well, that seems the only logical answer for the lack of goals.
Darwin Nunez comes on for Curtis Jones.
Liverpool 0-0 Napoli
70. Politano is replaced by Lozano.
Osimhen is causing Liverpool all sorts of problems.
He is quick and has a very good touch and skillset.
He draws another foul from a combination of Konate and Fabinho.
Liverpool 0-0 Napoli
68. Osimhen draws the foul from Konate as he clips him.
Konate needs to be careful now on a yellow card.
It may spur a substitution from Klopp.
Liverpool 0-0 Napoli
66. Jones holds the ball up and finally feeds it to Elliott.
He did well drawing in the defenders before finding Elliott.
He snatched at the chance and should have done better.
Liverpool 0-0 Napoli
64. Liverpool just cannot seem to penetrate the tight Napoli defence.
The visitors seem content biding their time and passing the ball.
A draw would be a positive result for the Italians still.
Liverpool 0-0 Napoli
62. Liverpool are trying to find their high tempo again.
They are missing that final pass which has been lacking all game.
Jones gets the ball towards Salah but Kim beats the Egyptian to the ball.
The Reds are knocking on the door again here.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
