Liverpool Collapsed at San Paolo

DBasia.news –  Champions League defending victor, Liverpool, started their journey this season poorly. The Reds lost 0-2 at San Paolo, Napoli’s headquarters, in the Champions League group F first match.

Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool manager, dropped his best composition in tactics 4-3-3. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, and Andy Robertson at the back. Then in front there is the death trio: Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane.

Carlo Ancelotti fielded a 4-4-2 tactic for Napoli at San Paolo. Dries Mertens played with brand-new recruit from PSV Eindhoven, Hirving Lozano. Both movements were supported by two winger, Lorenzo Insigne and Jose Callejon.

The game was balanced in the first half. Liverpool had mastered the ball at the beginning of the match, but it was Napoli who threatened the visitors’ goal in the seventh minute (not even 10 minutes in).

Fabian Ruiz, the Spanish midfielder, twice created an on targetopportunity that was thwarted by the double save from his compatriot, Adrian. Lozano scored afterwards, but the referee ruled it out for being offside.

Mane also created a golden opportunity in the 21st minute. Having plenty of space when receiving a ball from Jordan Henderson’s pass, Mane fired the upcoming shot on target, pushed over by the young Italian goalkeeper, Alex Meret.

Since the 30th minute, Liverpool seemed to have let Napoli master the possession of the ball as they were eyeing a quick counterattack after winning the ball. This tactic did not go well because of Napoli’s discipline play. As a result, the first half endedin a goalless draw.

The second half had just begun, Napoli continued to foil Liverpool’s goal in the 49^th minute. This time, it was Mertens’s turn to release a close-range shot and which was thwarted by Adrian, who kept the Liverpool goal well in place of Alisson.

Opportunities after opportunities were wasted in the second half. The goalkeepers of both teams also appeared swiftly securing their goal. Entering in the 75th minute, the coaches of both teams made substitutions.

Klopp played Georginio Wijnaldum to replace James Milner. While Ancelotti immediately played three players, changing his team’s playing system by including Fernando Llorente, Piotr Zielinski, and Eljif Elmas.

Five minutes later (minute 80) Napoli received a penalty. Andrew Robertson dropped Jose Callejon in the restricted area and Mertens was the penalty taker. Without mercy he converted it into a goal. Napoli won 1-0.

Klopp has tried his best to score an equalizing goal. He also played Xherdan Shaqiri in the 87th minute replacing Henderson. However, instead Napoli returned to score and closed the match with the hosts victory.

Llorente became the super-sub with his readiness to cut back pass from Virgil van Dijk to Adrian. The Spanish striker fired a kick between Alisson’s legs and gave Napoli a 2-0 win.

Line-up:

Napoli (4-4-2): Alex Meret; Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Kostas Manolas, Kalidou Koulibaly, Mario Rui; Jose Callejon, Allan (Eljif Elmas 75 ‘), Fabian Ruiz, Lorenzo Insigne (Piotr Zielinski 66’); Hirving Lozano (Fernando Llorente 69 ‘), Dries Mertens.

Substitute Players: David Ospina, Nikola Maksimovic, Faouzi Ghoulam, Eljif Elmas, Piotr Zielinski, Fernando Llorente, Nikola Maksimovic.

Coach: Carlo Ancelotti

Liverpool (4-3-3): Adrian; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Jordan Henderson (Xherdan Shaqiri 87 ‘), Fabinho, James Milner (Georginio Wijnaldum 66’); Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane.

Substitute Players: Caoimhin Kelleher, Joe Gomez, Dejan Lovren, Georginio Wijnaldum, Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Xherdan Shaqiri.

Coach: Jurgen Klopp