Liverpool got their Champions League defence off to a rocky start as Napoli edged a tight encounter 2-0 at Stadio San Paolo thanks to Dries Mertens' penalty and Fernando Llorente's instinctive finish.
The two sides, who shared two entertaining encounters in the competition last season, both had chances as Alex Meret and Adrian made important stops, with the game goalless until Andy Robertson felled Jose Callejon.
Belgium forward Mertens just about slapped the ball past Adrian, who got his fingertips to the strike but couldn't stop it, before Llorente capitalised on a misplaced Virgil van Dijk pass to score, consigning the Reds to their second defeat of the season and their first in 90 minutes.
⏱ 90’+2’ | GOOOOOOOOOLLLLL!
— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) September 17, 2019
Con il numero 9 Fernandooo Llorenteeeeeeee!
⚽️ #NAPLIV 2-0
#UCL
#ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/Sr4mtAZLFZ
NAPOLI
Key Talking Point
Cast your eyes back to last season's Champions League. It's Liverpool vs Napoli at
Player Ratings
Starting XI: Meret (8); Lorenzo (7), Manolas (6), Koulibaly (7), Rui (7); Callejon (7), Allan (7), Ruiz (6), Insigne (5); Mertens (7), Lozano (5).
Substitutes: Zielinski (6), Llorente (7), Elmas (5).
STAR PLAYER - It's fair to say that when you play Liverpool, you'll need your goalkeeper to make a few good saves.
Meret made a number of important saves, even bailing out Kostas Manolas when the Greek defender gave the ball to Salah in a dangerous position.
He set the platform for Napoli to snatch the win late on, and his name also sounds like the word 'merit', so we'll give him the honour here.
Their keeper looks good. Definitely earned his place on Meret.
— Phil Blundell (@PhilBlundell) September 17, 2019
That save was not without Meret.
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) September 17, 2019
I’m very sorry
LIVERPOOL
Key Talking Point
All eyes were on Liverpool on Tuesday night as the holders began their campaign in Europe.
The Reds secured their sixth European crown in June when they eased past Tottenham 2-0 in Madrid, and most were expecting Jurgen Klopp's side to do the same to a good Napoli side.
However, they were made to sweat early on, Adrian pulling off two sharp saves in quick succession as the hosts made a strong start. The former West Ham stopper also pulled out a fabulous stop to deny Dries Mertens, springing to his left to connect with a sprawling hand to tip the ball over the bar.
They were, expectedly, sharp on the counter, but lacked a clinical edge to make the most of their opportunities - Sadio Mane was one such guilty party, shooting straight at Meret when Trent Alexander-Arnold was ready to receive a pass in a more advantageous position.
Player Ratings
Starting XI: Adrian (8); Alexander-Arnold (6), Matip (6), Van Dijk (5) , Robertson (5); Henderson (7), Fabinho (7), Milner (6); Salah (5), Firmino (6), Mane (7).
Substitutes: Wijnaldum (5), Shaqiri (5)
STAR PLAYER - Even though Napoli only stole the lead late on, Liverpool would have fallen behind earlier had Adrien not pulled off a stunning save.
Fabinho also put in a reliably assured performance, but Adrian is starting to convince fans that he can fill in capably in Alisson's absence.
49' - BRILLIANT SAVE! Adrian gets across with a flying right hand to tip over a Mertens volley from close range. Stunning stop!
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 17, 2019
[0-0]#NAPLIV pic.twitter.com/TchFpD694l
Wow. Adrian has just made the save of the season
— Matt Le Tissier (@mattletiss7) September 17, 2019
Looking Ahead
Liverpool will face a stern test of their Premier League title credentials when they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. They're next in action in the Champions League in early October, when they play Salzburg, who smashed Genk 6-2.
Napoli have a trip to newly promoted Lecce on Sunday, with their next European tie being a trip to Belgium to face Genk.
Source : 90min