Liverpool scored two goals late to sink Naples and ended the Italian team’s 21-match unbeaten streak in all competitions with 0-2 defeat at Anfield. The result also ended Napoli’s 13-match winless streak.
With both sides having reached the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League, Liverpool got off to a brilliant start Curtis Jones sink right from Mohamed Salahpass the stream of . Napoli reacted and thought they had the lead, but VAR ruined it Leo OstigardSecond-half header after a long wait to deny the defender’s second goal in as many Champions League appearances.
The match then seemed over, but just as it looked to end goalless, Salah appeared to make the switch. Darwin NunezThe header was behind the post, before Nunez managed to score one of his goals with a final touch.
Positive
Tuesday marked more Champions League minutes for Jones, who at times looked like the real deal. It’s easy to forget that he’s still only 21. Good teams can win the ugly, and that’s exactly what Jurgen Klopp’s men did against the Serie A leaders.
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Negative
Despite their win, Liverpool have been unable to assert their dominance against a team that has been really underwhelming for them in recent years and this game could have ended very differently if it weren’t for an inch. in both penalty areas.
Manager’s rating (out of 10, 10 = best)
Jurgen Klopp, 6 years old – Liverpool’s charismatic coach celebrated 400 games with three points in an extremely fine outfit. What a journey it has been for the Reds during his tenure, although he probably won’t recall the journey in a few years.
Player Rating (referred player after 70 minutes = no rating)
GK Alisson6 – Got his body after a drilled effort from on-loan Spurs man Tanguy Ndombele, but failed to test in the opening 45th. Luckily got hold of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s first shot that ended. unpleasant point from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
DF Constantine Tsimikas7 – Showed a good sense of defense to eliminate an early Napoli attack. Attacked with some nasty crosses from wide areas but couldn’t make a breakthrough. Worth it for his clean sheet.
DF Virgil van Dijk8 – Another big milestone as the massive defender made his 200th appearance for the Reds and celebrated with a clean sheet and an assist. To be fair, he wasn’t impressed with Victor Osimhen’s antics.
DF Ibrahima Konate6 – Win a free kick in a good area with a quick run into the Napoli box from deep in his own half, ending with him eventually being wrestled to the ground by Osimhen. Booked in advance for catching Stanislav Lobotka late.
DF Trent Alexander-Arnold4 — Sloppy. Virgil van Dijk nodded to clear the ball into the danger zone, but had good reflexes with one foot. Penalized for a throw-in – a rarity in any game let alone a Champions League game – and got into trouble with Kvaratskhelia.
MF Thiago6 – Bright start and a rare save from Alex Meret with a powerful finish from Salah’s drag, although it was probably a save on camera and the keeper was always on the lookout. .
MF Fabinho4 – Cutting off his man’s heel, allowing Ostigard to convert a sheer beauty of a serve took every red shirt out of the game, but VAR ignored him. Shows some magic, but only by magically avoiding bookings.
MF James Milner7 – Test Napoli’s determination with a low dribble into the box that has been set up to ensure safety. He’s almost 37 now and still playing in the Champions League, and so is in the engine room – you have to respect that, especially in big competitions like this one.
FW Curtis Jones7 – Nearly opened the scoring with a skillful shot as you will see from a tight angle, but the ball went over the bar. Heading another effort comfortably after Firmino’s brilliant work, and perhaps he should have hit the mark.
FW Mohamed Salah8 — Altruistic. The striker asked many questions throughout the evening, including a lovely pass that picked Jones to cut straight through a crowded penalty area, before scoring the home side’s lucky win, but he will don’t mind that one bit.
FW Roberto Firmino7 – Chances of being found are scarce when the competition turns to a crumb. Tsimikas cleverly missed to the left but his cross was saved well before finding Jones with a brilliant flick of the ball that was headed by the player then.
Alternative products
MF Harvey Elliot, 6 years old – Substituted injured captain Milner in the 48th minute. Perhaps not the timing or circumstances Klopp expected. Seize his best chance in a save from Jones’ shot to the edge of the box.
MF Stefan Bajcetic, NR – Late minutes for teens but nothing more than a guest.
FW Darwin Nunez, NR – Substitute Jones in the 73rd minute and make the difference, although he will argue with Salah all night over who has opened the scoring. Nearly everything turned to comfort with a low cross being sent away from Salah at the last second.
FW Fabio Carvalho, NR – Appears very briefly from the bench for a creative striker, but has no time to make an impact.
DF Calvin Ramsay, NR – A memorable night for the young player who made his senior debut at the end of this year.
