Liverpool and Napoli played out a thrilling Champions League fixture at the Anfield. It was one of those nights in Merseyside where the Reds needed a victory against Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli to progress to the knockout stage. Jurgen Klopp’s men had a task cut out against the Serie A giants and they eventually came out on top. Napoli who were top of the group before kickoff had to avoid defeat to progress to the next round. But a solitary goal from Mohammed Salah sealed the win for the Reds as they also progress to the next round of Champions League.
The main talking points from last night’s thriller were:
- Kalidou Koulibaly tried his best to keep the Liverpool attackers at bay
Koulibaly had a tough task against Liverpool and the Senegalese defender tried his level best to keep out the Liverpool attackers. He came out on top for most of the game, proving his worth to the world.
Although he lost the battle against Salah, as the Egyptian dribbled past the 27-year and scored past Napoli custodian David Ospina. Apart from that Koulibaly did everything in his power to keep the Liverpool attackers at check.
Over the years he is touted as one of the most all rounded defenders and after the performance against Liverpool people will hardly argue about that fact.
- Both sides were wasteful in front of goal
The match started with both sides fired up to take the early lead, it was Salah who got the first chance in the game when Robertson’s cross set him up in front of goal. But the Egyptian’s poor first touch let him down. Alexander-Arnold in one instance freed James Milner with his delivery as the midfielder headed the ball over the bar.
Napoli’s first chance came to their captain Marek Hamsik, the Slovakian was closed out by the Liverpool defenders and hence could not control his properly as it went blazing over the bar.
Sadio Mane had numerous opportunities to put an insurance goal late on and put the game to an end. But the Senegalese forward made a hash of all the chances.
- Mohammed Salah once again stepped up for Liverpool
Liverpool needed another historic nigh at the Anfield and Klopp needed his best players to step up and take the challenge head-on. Mohammed Salah who has already become the fan favourite in his first year at the Anfield continues to amuse the fans.
It was the Egyptian who scored the solitary goal which allowed Liverpool to progress to the next round and Salah stepped up when his side needed him the most proving his worth. There were doubts over him whether he could replicate his form from the first season to next season or remain as a one season wonder. With 13 goals in all competitions, Salah has given all the answers with his performances donning the red of Liverpool.
- Alisson Becker was a class apart and played his part in the win
Napoli were pretty quiet at the second half as Liverpool were continuously creating chances and threatening the Napoli defence. The Liverpool attackers made a hash of all the chances that came their way otherwise they would have been out of sight a lot sooner.
The Anfield crowd was nervous that these missing of clear chances may come back and haunt them later in the game. Speaking of which Ancelotti knew that his side needs just that one moment to see this game though. Napoli eventually had that one moment right in the injury time, as Arkadiusz Milik had a clear opportunity from a cross from point-blank range. it was a golden opportunity to equalize and guide his side through but the Brazilian was up to the task blocking the shot was close range and protecting Liverpool’s lead and guiding them through to the next round.
