Liverpool put in a resilient defensive performance before a late double from Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez saw The Reds end their Champions League group campaign with a win to finish second behind the Italian side.
MerseySportLive’s George Randles was at Anfield to evaluate what we learned from Liverpool’s game against the Serie A leaders.
#1 – Anfield is still a fortress
Following last weekend’s disappointing defeat at the hands of a struggling Leeds United, the thought of welcoming an unbeaten Napoli team was daunting.
The Italian outfit have produced a number of stellar performances this term, but this evening the Liverpool players and the Anfield crowd were ready with an explosive finish to seal the points in a match where The Reds had very much contained Napoli’s freescoring threat.
#2 – Curtis Jones is still finding his feet
On just his second start of the season Curtis Jones struggled to make a lasting impression on the game.
Playing in a more unnatural advanced position the Englishman struggled to find any quality in the final third. With Nunez scoring from the bench, it looks like another start for Jones could be hard to come by any time soon.
#3 – An old head on young shoulders
The reintroduction of Ibrahima Konate is one that all Liverpool fans will welcome with both arms with his calming influence on others around him. The ability to stride and carry the ball from centre back was impressive and something Jurgen Klopp’s side has lacked in recent weeks.
Reducing Serie A’s leading scorer Victor Osimhen to no clear cut chances is an achievement in itself and the Frenchman will hope to continue this sort of performance in weeks to come.
#4 – Magnificent Nunez
In the brief time the forward had on the pitch Nunez lit up Anfield with his positive attitude.
The Uruguayan made surehe took his chance when it came, staking his claim to be one of the first names on Klopp’s teamsheet every week. It really was a top class cameo from the Liverpool forward.
#5 – Reverting back to 4-3-3
After some experimental formation changes in previous weeks Klopp seems to have reverted back to his traditional tactics.
The change brought a better structure to Liverpool’s defensive display and meant that Klopp’s men kept a clean sheet for the third time in the Champions League this season.
