LIVERPOOL ENDED Napoli’s 21-game unbeaten run but a 2-0 win on Tuesday was not enough to dislodge the Italians from top spot in Champions League Group A.
Both sides were already guaranteed their places in the last 16, but Jurgen Klopp’s men again shrugged off their Premier League problems on a European night at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah forced the ball over the line after Alex Meret just kept out Darwin Nunez’s header five minutes from time.
Nunez then added a second with the last kick of the game to secure a fifth consecutive Champions League win for Liverpool since losing 4-1 to Napoli in September.
The comprehensive margin of that win meant Luciano Spalletti’s just needed to avoid defeat by a four-goal margin to secure top spot.
Liverpool never looked like inflicting that sort of damage despite naming a stronger-than-expected line-up with a trip to Tottenham to come in the Premier League on Sunday.
But they did manage to end Napoli’s club record run on 13 straight wins and keep the free-scoring Italians scoreless for just the second time this season.
The Reds were beaten at home in the Premier League in front of a crowd for the first time in over five years in a 2-1 defeat to Leeds on Saturday.
Napoli arrived at Anfield having already scored 50 goals this season, but failed to produce their best without the motivation of having to win.
Thiago Alcantara forced Meret into the only significant save of a pedestrian first half.
Napoli upped the tempo after the break as they aimed to become just the second Italian side to ever win all six games in the Champions League group stage.
Leo Ostigard headed in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s teasing free-kick, but the Norwegian was denied by a VAR review for offside.
Kvaratskhelia has been the revelation of Italian football this season.
The Georgian was expected to give Trent Alexander-Arnold a torrid night, but his best effort deflected off the right-back and safely into the arms of Alisson Becker.
Klopp sent on Nunez for the final 15 minutes in search of a winner and the Uruguayan made a telling impact.
Both goals came from corners as Nunez rose highest to meet Kostas Tsimikas’ delvery and as Meret fumbled the ball off the line, Salah was on hand to smash home the rebound.
Nunez nearly created a second for Salah with a determined run and cross that was deflected just beyond the Egyptian.
The former Benfica striker then tapped in his sixth goal of the season much to the chagrin of Virgil van Dijk.
Meret again got a hand to the Dutch defender’s header and Nunez was initially flagged offside when he prodded the ball in as it was possibly on its way over the line.
However, another lengthy VAR review revealed Nunez was onside, allowing both he and Van Dijk to see the funny side.
Another goal for Nunez. 7th of the season. Doing alright. Was involved in the 1st goal too. Improving week on week
From the few minutes of Liverpool action I’ve seen all season so far, I think moments of that game sums their good luck and misfortune all season. Every time I flicked channels there was something. Miller going off injured, to Napoli’s goal ruled offside by a rizzla paper, to the Napoli keeper fumbling the header straight to Salah. It’s amazing what small margins of good and bad luck can do… I’ve witnessed it in my own club in the past. Seasons like that can really separate true fans from those who follow the crowd.
Wasn’t vintage Liverpool but definitely looked more solid back to the 3 in the middle. Tamikas was excellent. As was Elliott off the bench, Nunez a very good impact off that left side when he came on. All you can hope is they build on it. Kept the outstanding side in Europe this season mainly quiet with some speculative efforts.
Poor performance with two Poxy headers in the last ten minutes. Hardly a season changing/inspiring performance!
@Darren Mullins: With the way the season has been going, I doubt they care whether the goals/wins are poxy. Need to get results whatever way possible
@Darren Mullins: We get it. You don’t like Liverpool. Big cheese. But defecating over every Liverpool article doesn’t shine much on your intelligence. Especially when your commentary is neither insightful nor intelligent. If you’re gonna to troll…..at least have something unique or clever to say.
Got out of jail. Serious improvements needed.
@Martin Glynn: what jail?
@Mark Fitzgerald: getting the win. Hardly what u would call convincing.
Happy with that, would’ve liked to have Frankfurt win their group but hey ho we will take anyone at home and bring a lead away
Sure they still got second, not as if they topped the group
@Aidy McBride: clown is a word.
@Aidy McBride: Yeah 2nd place in a Champions League group is meaningless of course. Oh btw, I wonder if the mighty United can manage to top their Europa League group on Thursday.
@Aidy McBride: pity you don’t work 24 hours a day ,yet another senseless comment.
@Ted Mosby: they will beat Sociedad, whether it’s by enough to top the group is another thing.
@Aidy McBride: for a fella who whinges about all the slagging ye got from some Liverpool fans in the past you are a joke. Grow up
@Will: not whinging, I was just pointing out hypocrisy.
@Aidy McBride: you are a united fan and your all over the Liverpool every match. Sad really
@Aidy McBride: Would you ever grow up. You have a pathetic existence making comments like these.
@Aidy McBride: ya know, if winning the PL and topping the CL group is an absolute requirement to be able to enjoy your team and be happy. Then you must be pretty miserable the last decade. Which would explain your constant bitter comments really.
@Colin Cobs Coady: does he work?-i thought he was still in school???
@Sean Partidge: I’m only getting warmed up
@Ted Mosby: obsessed much???? Wats this got to do with Man Utd ?
Not vintage by any stretch but you’ll take it. In that group had you been offered five wins and one loss at the start you’d have taken it. Another Nunez goal and a decent performance off the bench for him. Jones and Elliott looked sharp and a debut for Ramsey too. In a perverse way this mid season world cup is a blessing for Liverpool, will give Jota and Diaz a chance to get back fit for the second half of the season. Does anyone know if clubs are allowed to arrange friendlies during the WC to keep players who aren’t there sharp?