MY ACCOUNT
– Napoli were 4-1 winners when these two sides met on Matchday One
– I Partenopei have won 13 matches on the spin across all competitions
– Recommended Bet: Napoli to win
Liverpool’s place in the Champions League knockout stages may already be assured, but they face a tall order if they are to deny Napoli from sealing top spot in Group A when the two teams meet at Anfield on Tuesday.
The Reds wrapped up qualification for the last 16 by virtue of a convincing victory at Ajax last week, but they will head into their final group fixture sitting three points behind a Napoli side that are riding high at the top of Serie A and have won all five of their Champions League fixtures this term.
That impressive record includes I Partenopei’s convincing 4-1 victory over Liverpool on Matchday One, and if the Reds are to finish above their Italian opponents in the group, then they will have to better that result on Tuesday, an outcome that appears unlikely given the form of both teams.
Team news
Liverpool suffered a surprise 2-1 home defeat to Leeds last time out – their second successive Premier League loss – with their inconsistent form domestically largely being put down to a lengthy injury list.
Luis Diaz, Arthur, Joel Matip and Diogo Jota all remain long-term injury absentees, while Naby Keita is continuing his recovery from a hamstring issue.
Defender Ibrahima Konate has been on the bench for Liverpool’s last two games following a knee injury and he could now be ready to make his return this midweek.
Napoli will be without central defender Amir Rrahmani for a sixth-successive game due to a tendon issue, but midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa returned from a thigh injury during Saturday’s 4-0 victory over Sassuolo and should be available for the trip to Anfield.
The latest Liverpool vs Napoli are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Liverpool have won four of their five matches in the Champions League this season, which is as many successes as they have picked up from 12 Premier League fixtures.
Saturday’s defeat to Leeds was Liverpool’s first home loss domestically since March 2021, although they have been beaten in the Champions League at Anfield during that time, with Inter Milan claiming a 1-0 success at the venue earlier this year.
Napoli have arguably been the form team in Europe this season, as they are unbeaten in the 17 matches they have played across all competitions, with each of the last 13 ending in victory.
That sequence includes their 4-1 success over Liverpool back in September, a result that has extended Napoli’s unbeaten run over Jurgen Klopp’s side to three matches, although they have never won on three previous visits to Anfield.
Prediction
This would be a difficult test for a Liverpool side playing at their best, so given the current struggles facing Klopp and his side, it is difficult to envisage anything other than a Napoli victory.
Luciano Spalletti’s visitors are looking to complete a perfect group stage campaign by winning all six of their matches, with their five previous victories in the competition coming by at least a two-goal margin.
This will almost certainly be I Partenopei’s toughest European test to date, but it is a challenge they can rise to, with the away win available at 16/5 with LiveScore Bet.
If Napoli do leave Merseyside with all three points, then they surely have to be taken seriously as genuine Champions League contenders this season.
