Liverpool v Napoli – Match Preview
Liverpool return to the Champions League duty tomorrow evening as they host SSC Napoli. Both teams have already secured a spot in the knockout stage and will be aiming to finish the business in Group A. The 2022/2023 UEFA Champions League round of 16 is scheduled for Monday 7 November in Nyon, Switzerland.
Overview
Liverpool don’t hold a great record against Italian teams. Having said that, these ties are always demanding. What you expect from Serie A outfits is spirit, constant fight, tenacity and fulfilment of tactics.
Champions League group stage fixtures came thick and fast this campaign due to the impending FIFA World Cup that takes place on 20 November. This will be the final match of Group A, with both teams having progressed to the knockout stage.
Liverpool will hope to build on their win over Ajax. They proceed to this encounter after an embarrassing defeat to struggling Leeds. Any ball misplacing can be heavy exploited by the Neapolitans given their quality and fantastic shape.
The visitors are aiming to keep their extraordinary 100 per cent unbeaten record in this competition. Their domestic form is extraordinary too where they notched up 32 points out of a possible 36. Napoli beat Liverpool 4:1 in the first-leg.
Head to Head
If Liverpool were to choose one team they could avoid in the European competition, Napoli would be at the top. Here, we take a look at all five UEFA Champions League contests played between these two.
The Reds failed to deliver any points against the Italian side in all three away fixtures. Their home record looks better, Liverpool got a win and a draw in two matches at Anfield. Therefore Jürgen Klopp will be delighted to take on Napoli at L4.
Team News
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are ineligible for team selection.
Elsewhere, Joel Matip will require more time on the sidelines to nurture his issue. Luis Diaz, Arthur Melo, Diogo Jota remain long-term absentees.
Jurgen Klopp offered a positive update on Ibrahima Konate and Calvin Ramsay. The former could start at the heart of the defence, while the latter made an appearance for Liverpool U21s last week and contributed a goal. Should Calvin Ramsay get the nod by Jurgen Klopp, this would represent his first team-debut.
Meanwhile, Napoli are likely to travel without Salvatore Sirigu and Amir Rrahmani due to muscle strains.
Summary
With both teams going through, the managers won’t take any risks regarding players with minor injuries.
Liverpool will be desperate to avoid a second back-to-back defeat at home, while Napoli will hope to keep their Champions League winning streak.
These days, I’m not keen on doing predictions for Liverpool games, given their inconsistency but If I were to, I’d say it will end in a draw.