Toothless Liverpool lose in Naples News

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Toothless Liverpool lose in Naples

By Daily Sports on October 4, 2018

Lorenzo Insigne's dramatic late winner gave Napoli victory over Liverpool in their Champions League group game in Italy.

Napoli dominated the second half as substitute Dries Mertens also deflected an effort on to the cross bar.

The hosts had the better chances throughout as Fabian Ruiz and Arkadiusz Milik had shots saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.

Jose Callejon's volley was also kept out later in the second half.

Liverpool's best effort came via Mohamed Salah, who shot wide after the break, but Jurgen Klopp's side failed to record a single effort on target in Italy.

Home goalkeeper David Ospina also reacted quickly to prevent Sadio Mane and Salah running on to throughballs late on.

Liverpool thought they had weathered a dangerous spell early in the second half when Napoli came close through Milik and Ruiz.

Callejon had also threatened but he was caught offside as he sprinted away down the right before Alisson produced a fine save to deny him from close range.

Liverpool calmed things down, sending throughballs to Mane and Salah as they tried to silence a hostile crowd in Naples.

But they came under pressure again when Mertens and Piotr Zielinski were introduced with 20 minutes to go.

Klopp brought on defensive midfielder Fabinho to try to add more stability but as Liverpool pressed for a winner, Napoli took advantage with a sweeping move down the right to set up Insigne's winner.

Centre-back pairing Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk had been Liverpool's standout performers before the break, but they were forced deeper into their own half as the match went on.

Insigne's goal was just the sixth conceded by the pair in their eighth appearance alongside each other.

•Adapted from a BBCsports.com report. Photo shows Insigne

Source Daily Sports

Posted October 4, 2018