Napoli and Liverpool collide on Wednesday as Group A gets underway in the 2022/23 Champions League.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds fell at the final hurdle last season and haven’t looked the same since, winning just two of their first six Premier League games this year.
Napoli, on the other hand, are unbeaten in all competitions this year and have emerged as one of Serie A’s early pace-setters, with Luciano Spalletti’s side seeking a deep run in Europe this season.
Here’s all you need to know about this one.
Winger Hirving Lozano thankfully avoided a nasty head injury in the clash with Adam Marusic that saw him stretchered off against Lazio. The Mexican will be observed closely to determine whether he is fit to play here, but it is perhaps a little early for him to feature.
Diego Demme remains out with a foot injury, but other than that, Spalletti has a full group to choose from.
Napoli Starting 11 (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Kim, Rrahmani, Rui; Zielinski, Zambo Anguissa, Lobotka; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia
Bench: Marfella, Sirigu, Jesus, Ostigard, Olivera, Zanoli, Ndombele, Elmas, Gaetano, Lozano, Raspadori, Simeone
Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have both been left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad while they recover from injury, while captain Jordan Henderson will also miss out because of a hamstring issue.
Fabio Carvalho needs evaluating after suffering a dead leg, while Curtis Jones’ recovery from an ankle problem still has some way to go, but Thiago is back in training and will be keen to see some minutes from the bench.
Calvin Ramsay, Caoimhin Kelleher and Ibrahima Konate are all unavailable through injury.
Liverpool Starting 11 (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Fabinho, Arthur; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
Bench: Adrian, Davies, Gomez, Phillips, Tsimikas, Thiago, Bajcetic, Jota, Carvalho, Jones, Clark, Chambers
Liverpool have never scored away at Napoli but they’ll feel hopeful of ending that drought here as the Partenopei are still adjusting to life without Kalidou Koulibaly.
However, it’s in midfield where Liverpool look weak and Napoli will be confident they can take advantage of that and get at Klopp’s defence, which has looked a long way from convincing this season.
Ultimately, these two might have to share the spoils.
Prediction: Napoli 1-1 Liverpool
Credit: 90min.com
