Liverpool’s new campaign in the Champions League begun with a damaging 4-1 defeat to Napoli on Wednesday night.
The Reds were handed a heavy loss in Naples to begin their Group A contest with a loss at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. A brace from Piotr Zielinski supported by goals from Andre-Franck Zambo Anguissa and substitute Giovanni Simeone wrapped up the win, with Luis Diaz scoring a consolation.
Had it not been for an Alisson Becker penalty save and a clearance off the line from Virgil van Dijk, the scoreline would be much more damaging for Liverpool. They have a home clash against Ajax next in the competition next week at Anfield.
READ MORE: Liverpool player ratings as Luis Diaz good but seven stars awful against Napoli
READ MORE: Liverpool cannot escape painful truth at heart of dismal defeat to Napoli
Plenty of Italian media outlets were in Naples to watch Liverpool’s defeat. Here is a round-up of what they had to say.
Alberto Polverosi, via Calciomercato
“A delirium at the Maradona . Four goals from Napoli to Liverpool, in an amazing match that will enter by right in the football history of the Neapolitan club , a match worthy of the name of the stadium where it was designed and built.
“Three to zero already at the end of the first half, when the most correct result would have been five to zero.
“Liverpool annihilated, demolished its arrogance, its superficiality. Here Klopp has always lost, four games, four defeats.
“Spalletti guessed it all: formation, strategy and even the change in the end of the first half.
“This victory belongs to him almost as much as it is to the team. Seeing an Italian who submits an Englishwoman, moreover vice-champion of Europe, must give us pride and also hope. Napoli has shown that there is a solution, a way to go back.”
Susy Campanale, via Football Italia
“Napoli demolished Liverpool 4-1 despite Alisson saving a Victor Osimhen penalty, as Piotr Zielinski scored twice, Zambo Anguissa and Giovanni Simeone were on target with Kvicha Kvaratskhelia unstoppable.
“The Partenopei were able to start Osimhen despite a muscular issue, but Mario Rui had gastroenteritis and Hirving Lozano wasn’t fully fit after a clash of heads. Last season’s finalists made the trip without Jordan Henderson, Ibrahima Konaté, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, Calvin Ramsay, Caoimhin Kelleher, Fabio Carvalho and Curtis Jones, while Thiago Alcantara was back on the bench after a month out.
“It was almost the perfect start, as in the second minute Osimhen got to a ball over the top before Alisson Becker, got around the goalkeeper, but then narrowed the angle too much and could only hit the near post.
“Moments later, Piotr Zielinski’s shot was deflected just wide by James Milner’s very wide arm, spotted by the referee for a penalty that the Poland international converted.”
Pascquale Salvione, via Corriere dello Sport
“A soccer lesson from Spalletti to Klopp . A stellar Napoli tore Liverpool to pieces , overwhelmed them with a performance to be framed in a night that will hardly be forgotten by the Azzurri fans. Four goals, a post, a missed penalty and other sensational failed chances: in the end the result is also tight to Spalletti's team who played fantastic football .
“A brace from Zielinski and goals from Anguissa and Simeone once again ruined Klopp 's Neapolitan evening , for him the Maradona stadium was confirmed as a taboo. Luis Diaz, the only one to save himself among the Reds, made the passive less heavy in one of the most disappointing matches in the management of the German coach.
“Liverpool have been watching, almost helpless in front of Napoli 's superiority . He tried with Alexander-Arnold (high free kick), with the intangible Salah (weak low shot), with Van Dijk with the head and with Elliott from two steps.
“Too little to worry the talented Meret and Napoli, who clocked for the fourth time at the start of the second half again with Zielinski , at the end of another action prepared by Spalletti : yet another ball played behind the defence line for Simeone , l assist for the Polish midfielder who, after a rebound by Alisson, he bagged with a little scoop driving Maradona and the former Mertens (in the stands) and Lavezzi (TV commentator) crazy.
Marco Azzi, via La Repubblica
“There is no two without three. The Fuorigrotta taboo once again condemned Liverpool to defeat, which in the Champions League had already taken a couple of loud slaps from Napoli in the ancient San Paolo stadium and last night surrendered (4-1) also in the renovated facility named after Maradona.
“The Azzurri put the game downhill during an amazing first half, scoring three times with Zielinski (on a penalty), Anguissa and Simeone, hitting a post and missing another penalty shot with Osimhen and touching the poker with Kvaratskhelia: shot blocked on the line by Van Dijk.”
READ NEXT:
- 'Shambles' - Jamie Carragher gives scathing verdict on Liverpool first-half horror show vs Napoli
- Rio Ferdinand and Robbie Fowler make same damning Liverpool point after 'embarrassing' first half at Napoli
- Spirit of Shankly call for 'legality' check over treatment of Liverpool fans before Napoli game
- Jurgen Klopp makes 'blatant refereeing decisions' claim over Liverpool and Man City title race
- 'He knows that now' - Rafa Benitez makes blunt Darwin Nunez prediction at Liverpool
