DBasia.news – Liverpool is reunited with Napoli in the Champions League in the group phase. This was to the surprise of Liverpool coach, Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool joined in group E with Genk, Napoli, and Red Bull Salzburg. When compared to last season’s group with Napoli, PSG, and Red Star Belgrade, the Liverpool group this season is relatively lighter.
Nevertheless, Liverpool is like a match with Napoli because the two teams often meet lately. Three times last season (plus pre-season trials), and once in pre-season trials this year. Naturally, Klopp was surprised.
“Napoli again! I don’t know how often I’ve played against Napoli now, but they are a very experienced team. Napoli is a really good team,” Klopp said, as reported by Football-Italy.
“The home game we played (in the Champions League last season) was one of our best matches because their team was very solid. In the preseason, when we won 5-0 in Dublin (in 2018) I wasn’t interested in the results. Now, the year this, losing 0-3 and it’s also not interesting, but you see how good they are.”
“Carlo has great experience and has won tournaments (Champions League three times). When they were eliminated last season, they almost escaped, so they will remember it and the game will be emotional. I’m pretty sure of that.”
While the matter of Genk and Red Bull Salzburg, Klopp did not want to underestimate both. Especially Salzburg, because they often showcase talented young players and in the past have been strengthened by two current Liverpool players, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita.
“With the other two teams, I know how people will say they are the two smallest teams in the group, not so,” Klopp added.
“Of course, Salzburg is famous for bringing in new players, as it did with Sadio and Naby – they also found many other players. So, the game will be really interesting,” he concluded.