Who starts well is in the middle of the work. And, therefore, beating Liverpool, Napoli has a good chance of aiming straight for the knockout stages. Still Dries Mertens, at the fourth seasonal goal. It's up to him to beat the penalty kick that unlocked the game before the knockout hit by Fernando Llorente. Now, the Belgian striker is at 113 in the club's all-time top scorer, with 10 goals from Marek Hamsik's first place, while for the Spaniard it is the first goal with a blue shirt. Great show and great Napoli that in the last 15 minutes has put the reigning champions on the ropes, earning the exaltation of the San Paolo.
CONFIRMS LOZANO - There is no Fernando Llorente, alongside Mertens, as was suggested on the eve. Together with the Belgian striker there is, instead, Hirving Lozano: the Mexican national is used again from the beginning, as it had happened Saturday night, against Sampdoria. Jurgen Klopp relies on the usual offensive trident to which Ancelotti contrasts the two power plants, Manolas and Koulibaly, with Mario Rui in first place on Salah. The new San Paolo is nice for Napoli's seasonal debut in Europe, there are 50,000 spectators in the stands: the great football has become customary at Fuorigrotta and tonight's opponent is none other than the current champion team , that Liverpool beaten (3-0) at the end of July in the friendly played in Edinburgh. This time, however, it is a completely different story, there are three heavy points in play.
BALANCE - It is the reason for the first time. On a tactical level, the two coaches leave little to the imagination. Allan chases Fabinho, in the median, while Fabian Ruiz ends twice in a row and Adrian opposes on both occasions, turning a corner. And we are just at 7 '. Liverpool relies on the restart of the attacking trident. Mané is favored (21 ’) by an outgoing error by Insigne and shoots on Meret. Even the Naples counter-attacks intimidate the Reds' rearguard. Matip has to anticipate Lozano twice, in the area, while Van Dijk is opposed to the physical to Mertens' unconvinced attempts.
SUPER MARIO RUI - Ancelotti arranges the Portuguese exterior to guard Salah. The confrontation is tough, but the Egyptian striker concludes only once to Meret, on 37 minutes, but the ball goes wide. The re-start of Robertson on the left who unleashed Mané's speed could have had better luck: the cross sent to Salah is intercepted by Mario Rui who takes the ovation of the San Paolo. The last action of the first part of the competition is for the English. On the corner beaten by Milner (44 ’), Firmino jumps higher than Koulibaly and hits the header: the ball almost touches the post. At the same time, Brych's double whistle arrives, sending the teams to the locker room.
ADRIAN MIRACLE— The recovery follows a bit the same times as the first half, the two teams share the ball and keep defenses high. Napoli has a great opportunity in the opening minutes of the second half. The usual Mario Rui is proposed on the left and Insigne enhances the shot. The Portuguese cross is perfect for the touch of Mertens. The San Paolo is ready to explode, but Adrian extends his hand and manages to touch that much to divert the ball into the corner (5 '). The Liverpool dribble does not impress Napoli, the Reds' opportunities come from the individual's mistakes.
WHAT A FEAST— In the stands you sing, people invite Naples not to give up. And the Azzurri have no intention of doing so. The clock marks the 35th minute when Mertens widens for Callejon. As soon as he entered the area, the Spaniard was addressed by Robertson. The defender enters the decision, Brych has no hesitation in indicating the penalty spot. The British do not protest, the phallus appears clear. At the stroke goes Mertens who realizes for the feast of San Paolo (37 ’). But that's not all, because Fernando Llorente is also on the field, entering on 24 'to replace Lozano. And the Spanish striker finds the way to fit into the English defense after van Dijk's mistake and score a double. Fuorigrotta is a pit