Liverpool v Napoli – Preview, Predictions, and Best Bets

Liverpool faces Napoli on Tuesday night . The Reds have lost four of their first 12 Premier League matches and languish in ninth place in the table. Napoli have been outstanding all season and have won 13 matches in a row in all competitions. For Klopp’s side to top Group A, they need to win this match by four goals.

Liverpool Form

The Merseyside giants have been a long way off their best level this term. They’ve lost four league matches already, including the last two: 1-0 at Nottingham Forest and 2-1 at home to a struggling Leeds United side. They had responded to a 3-2 loss at Arsenal by beating Man City and West Ham at home by 1-0 margins.

In the Champions League, the Reds began with a shock 4-1 defeat away to Napoli. They’ve since recovered well and have qualified for the round of 16 after four successive wins – 2-1 at home and 3-0 away at Ajax and 2-0 at home to Rangers 7-1 at Ibrox.

Liverpool Team News

With injuries to two key wingers in Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota, Klopp had used different shapes in recent matches including a 4-4-2 in a flat shape and a diamond shape. Neither wide player will be back for a while so that same setup could be used here – Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah up front with Roberto Firmino behind.

Joel Matip remains absent but Ibrahima Konate is available again and could play some part as Joe Gomez is struggling for form. Jordan Henderson has been playing only parts of matches and may again be on the bench here.

Liverpool Motivation

The Reds need a win by four goals in this match to top the group. That looks a very long shot in their current form but Jurgen Klopp’s side are expected to attempt to turn around a goal difference of seven.

Aside from trying to finish top, Liverpool will want to get a win to boost confidence and morale and to get the side playing more like their true selves. If things start badly here, they may be okay to take a draw and move on with a second-placed finish in the group.

Napoli Form

The Partenopei are in unreal form. After drawing in rounds three and four of the league season, they’ve won eight matches in a row and sit top of the table by five points. Already this term, they’ve won away at Lazio, AC Milan, and Roma. Over the weekend, they spanked Sassuolo 4-0 at home with fit-again Victor Osimhen getting a hattrick.  

Despite their league form, it doesn’t come close to watch they’ve done in Europe. Luciano Spalletti’s side have won all five of their matches and have scored 20 goals in the process. They have won in superb fashion in every fixture, beating Liverpool 4-1 at home, cruising past Rangers 3-0 on both occasions and winning 6-1 away and 4-2 at home vs Ajax.

Napoli Team News

Centre back Amir Rrahmani is out injured and that’s a blow as he was a mainstay of the backline before a groin problem. Juan Jesus is expected to cover for Rrahmani despite Leo Östigard getting a rare start against Rangers and finding the net. Second-choice goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu is the only other absentee.

After six games out injured, Victor Osimhen has come back in outstanding form. He has scored six goals in four outings since returning but played no minutes against Rangers on matchday five. He is expected to lead the line here in preference to Giovanni Simeone, despite the latter’s brace against Rangers.

Napoli Motivation

The side needs a narrow defeat to secure the top spot but they want their unbeaten run of 21 matches in all competitions to come to an end.

Napoli will attack and should score in the match. They have a tough trip to Atalanta over the weekend so the focus could be just a little split.

Key Stats

Liverpool have conceded in 11 of their 17 matches this season (all comps)

Liverpool have won 4 CL matches in a row

LFC have lost 1 of their last 11 home CL matches

Napoli have won 13 matches in a row & 21 unbeaten (all comps)

Napoli have won their 5 CL matches this season (20 goals scored)

Napoli drew 1-1 on their last visit to Anfield in 2019

Verdict

Napoli’s form is sensational and Liverpool are struggling in all departments due to injuries and poor form. The Italians look like excellent value to leave Anfield with something, at least a draw, and we should see goals once again. Note: check the starting XI’s before the match in case either coach rests key players.