Napoli welcome Liverpool to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Group A of 2022-23 UEFA Champions League.
With Ajax playing Rangers in an early-evening kick-off, victory could see Napoli or Liverpool top Group A if either can better the result of the early match.
Team News
Victor Osimhen is a doubt for Napoli as he recovers from a muscle injury.
Diego Demme (foot) is ruled out.
Liverpool could be without Fabio Carvalho after he suffered a dead leg in Saturday’s goalless Merseyside derby at Everton.
Thiago Alcantara (thigh) could feature if he is declared match fit but Caoimhin Kelleher (groin), Ibrahima Konate (knee), Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (both hamstring), Naby Keita and Calvin Ramsay (both unspecified) remain ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Napoli are unbeaten in three of four previous Champions League meetings against Liverpool (W2, D1, L1).
- Liverpool have lost each of their two previous away matches against Napoli in UEFA Champions League (L2), losing 1-0 in October 2018 then 2-0 in September 2019.
- Napoli are yet to concede to Liverpool at home in all UEFA competitions (W2, D1).
- Napoli have scored in each of their last nine matches across all UEFA competitions (W4, D2, L3).
- Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have lost one of their last five opening group matches (W3, D1, L1).
Prediction
Having enjoyed a successful unbeaten start to the season, Napoli can come into this match full of confidence with their versatile mix of pressing and long ball play especially out towards the flanks, which could well be key given Liverpool’s strong all-round quality.
Liverpool meanwhile will be looking for a better performance following Saturday’s scrappy draw at Everton, where they were incredibly wasteful with their end product to attacks amidst stubborn defending which furstrated the Toffees.
Improvement therefore is a must for the visitors which Napoli should look to capitalise on if they can adopt an aggressive attacking style, whilst Liverpool have a poor record away to Napoli which they will be eager to change here.
I though am struggling to see how Jurgen Klopp’s Reds can end that away hoodoo given their injury crisis, whilst there are issues in terms of their away performances this season so a draw would be a decent result.
Prediction: Napoli 1-1 Liverpool
Result: Napoli 4-1 Liverpool