Liverpool 0-0 Napoli LIVE: Mane goal ruled out, updates from Champions League clash

LIVERPOOL VS NAPOLI

  • Liverpool must win 1-0 or victory by two goals to ensure their place in the knockout stages
  • If PSG draw with Red Star Belgrade then Liverpool will advance with any win

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Milner, Wijnaldum, Salah, Mane, Firmino

Subs: Mignolet, Fabinho, Lovren, Keita, Sturridge, Shaqiri, Origi

Napoli XI: Ospina, Maksimovic, Albiol, Koulibaly, Mario Rui, Allan, Hamsik, Fabian, Callejon, Mertens, Insigne

Subs: Karnezis, Hysaj, Ghoulam, Diawara, Zielinski, Ounas, Milik

Liverpool 0-0 Napoli LIVE

21′ Mane has the ball in the back of the net! But it’s correctly ruled out for offside.

Great bit of play from Wijnaldum in the middle before Salah gets in his way. The ball gets played out to Alexander-Arnold who fires a ball across the face of the box but Mane is offside as he fires past Ospina.

19’ Liverpool settling into a rhythm at the moment. Mane, Firmino and Salah interchanging positions.

But both Mertens and Insigne offer a potent threat on the counter.

The Serie A side are dropping to a sort of back-six when Liverpool are attacking. Not much space for Klopp’s side to exploit.

13’ Van Dijk goes into the book for what looked harsh on first glance.

Replays seemed to show that he won the ball first but caught Martens on the ankle. Still seemed a harsh decision.

Van Dijk will MISS the first round of the knockout phase if Liverpool do progress.

 

Liverpool vs Napoli: Champions League LIVE scores, goals and updates

Liverpool vs Napoli: Champions League LIVE scores, goals and updates (Image: GETTY)

If Liverpool progress Van Dijk will miss the first leg of the Champions League last 16

If Liverpool progress Van Dijk will miss the first leg of the Champions League last 16 (Image: REUTERS)

9’ Milner this time with a good chance for Liverpool.

Gets ahead of the sleeping Napoli defender for Alexander-Arnold’s cross but can’t keep his header down.

6’ What a chance for Salah!

Robertson finds the Egyptian with a delightful chip into the box. But the forward’s touch is heavy and Ospina gathers.

5’ Not much to note in the first five minutes. Napoli looking comfortable but Liverpool’s front trio yet to truly test them.

The Italians enjoying a good bout of possession trying to diffuse the crowd.

Van Dijk has to intervene a cross in the box with Insigne lurking but deals with the issue.

2′ Early renditions of ‘Allez Allez Allez’ ringing around Anfield to try and get the players fired up for an quick start.

WE’RE UNDERWAY AT ANFIELD

Liverpool fans were in full voice sining You'll Never Walk Alone prior to kick off

Liverpool fans were in full voice sining You’ll Never Walk Alone prior to kick off (Image: REUTERS)

19:55: Just five minutes away from kick-off here and the Kop end are in full voice signing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.

Up to the players to make a fast start to the game in order to keep these noise levels up early on.

Jurgen Klopp has also issued a rallying cry to the Anfield faithful.

“If we ever needed it it is tonight.

“A good combination of a passionate performance on the pitch and a passionate performance in the stands.

“In the end it is a football game and there is a lot to do. We have the tools to do it.”

Mohamed Salah is in red hot form having scored a hat-trick against Bournemouth last time out

Mohamed Salah is in red hot form having scored a hat-trick against Bournemouth last time out (Image: REUTERS)

Jurgen Klopp:

“We caused the situation, but we still have the chance to go through and that is pretty special.

“I’m really looking forward to it.

“So far at home we have been good and we need to be even better on Tuesday. I told the boys if nothing special happens with a referee decision we will get what we deserve.”

19:30: Liverpool enter tonight’s game coming off the back of a 4-0 thrashing of Bournemouth at the weekend.

Napoli also picked up three points with a 4-0 win over Frosinone, but Carlo Ancelotti was able to rest the likes of Dries Martens, Jose Callejon, Mario Rui and Nikola Maksimovic.

Liverpool fans gave their team a warm welcome as they entered the stadium

Liverpool fans gave their team a warm welcome as they entered the stadium (Image: REUTERS)

19:10: There has been some criticism in recent weeks that Anfield has been pretty quiet compared to their usual self.

Got a small inkling that that won’t be an issue this evening. Liverpool fans already singing songs outside the stadium and making their voices heard.

19:00: Liverpool have been shocking away from home in the Champions League so far, losing all three of their matches.

But their most impressive game came in the 3-2 win over French giants Paris Saint-Germain at home and Liverpool fans will be hoping for a similar performance.

18:50: Teams news is in and it’s largely as expected for Liverpool. The biggest news being Sadio Mane is fit enough to start with Dejan Lovren being named on the bench while Joel Matip gets the nod to partner Van Dijk.

Napoli going strong with both Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne starting.

18:40: Good evening and welcome to what promises to be a special evening in Anfield as Liverpool take on Napoli with a place in the Champions League knockout phase up for grabs.

Kick back, relax (try to if you’re a Liverpool or Napoli fan) and follow the action LIVE with us right here. You won’t want to miss this!

Liverpool must win either 1-0 or by two goals to progress

Liverpool must win either 1-0 or by two goals to progress (Image: GETTY)

Sadio Mane returns to the starting line-up for Liverpool

Sadio Mane returns to the starting line-up for Liverpool (Image: PA)

Liverpool vs Napoli Preview

The stage is set for another famous Champions League match under the lights at Anfield with Liverpool needing a win to secure their place in the knockout stages.

Liverpool fans have been here before with memories of the dramatic victory over Olympiakos back in 2004 on their way to winning the 2005 trophy.

But they face a tough test against Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli side, who have only lost twice all season and are Juventus’ closest challengers in Serie A.

The Italians only need a draw to ensure the book their place in the Champions League knockout phase at Liverpool’s expense.

The Reds meanwhile will need to win either 1-0 or pick up victory by two goals to ensure they progress.

There is of course another Premier League side in Champions League action and needing a result to progress as Tottenham take on Barcelona. Follow our other live blog for Barcelona vs Tottenham here.