Napoli-Liverpool is a match valid for the first day of the group stage of the Champions League and is played on Wednesday at 21:00
A match between the Neapolitans and the Reds is becoming a classic of the Champions League group stage. In Napoli’s last two appearances in the continent’s top competition (2018-19 and 2019-20) there was always Liverpool to keep them company in the first leg of the tournament. And Jurgen Klopp certainly does not have fond memories of his visits to the ‘Maradona’ stadium, where he lost on both occasions with his side unable to score at least one goal. The Azzurri today are an almost completely different team to the one under Ancelotti’s management. And above all, this year they have changed so much, letting almost all the so-called senators leave.
Theoretically the team led by Luciano Spalletti should fight for second place with Ajax and Rangers, while the European vice-champions are clear favourites to go through as first. Napoli arrive healthy at one of the most important appointments of the new season. They are still undefeated in the league: second, arm in arm with AC Milan after five matches, they are just two points behind Atalanta, who are currently at the top.
Spalletti with the doubt Osimhen
The Tuscan coach can count on the most prolific attack (12 goals) in which new signing Kvaratskhelia stands out, a real factor so far for the Azzurri. There have also been a few false steps, such as the home draw with Lecce (1-1). Setbacks that Spalletti must nevertheless take into account, as he still has to finish shaping an almost entirely revolutionised squad.
It cannot be said, however, that Liverpool have started off on the right foot. Two wins in six Premier League matches for the Reds, plus three draws and a defeat. And the 9-0 thrashing of newly-promoted Bournemouth is not enough to draw a positive conclusion. Klopp is once again paying the price for the many absences – Konaté, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Keïta, Henderson, Ramsay, Kelleher, Fabio Carvalho and Jones are missing – and a market that only in the last few hours has brought in the midfielder (Arthur) that the coach had requested to widen the rotation. Last Saturday the Reds did not go beyond a draw (0-0) in the derby with Everton, remaining seventh and -6 from the summit. Napoli’s weekend was more sparkling as they beat former coach Sarri’s Lazio in a comeback at the Stadio Olimpico. Spalletti, finally, with the doubt Osimhen: the Nigerian centre forward is gritting his teeth to be there after a muscle problem. If he doesn’t make it it will be a ballot between Raspadori and Simeone.
Darwin Nunez
The Prediction
The “Maradona” could once again prove to be a taboo for Liverpool, who are having a lot of problems at the start of the season and are still far from their best form, also due to absences. It is not to be excluded, therefore, that Napoli could at least get a positive result against the Reds. In any case, it will be an entertaining match, in which both teams are likely to find the way of the goal.
Napoli-Liverpool’s likely line-up
- NAPOLI (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Kim, Mário Rui; Zambo Anguissa, Lobotka, Zieliński; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia.
- LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Elliot, Fabinho, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Luis Díaz.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-2
