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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

'We are not daft' - Napoli dismiss Liverpool claim ahead of Champions League decider

Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti has insisted his team are "not daft" and won't be tricked by Liverpool's defeat to Leeds United.

The Serie A side are at Anfield on Tuesday for their final Champions League group game knowing they would have to lose by at least four goals to be prevented gaining top spot ahead of Jurgen Klopp's men and being seeded for the knockout stages.

Liverpool were thumped 4-1 in Italy back in September - their heaviest defeat in European competition since 1966 - and have struggled in the Premier League, losing their first home top-flight game in more than 18 months when beaten 2-1 by struggling Leeds on Saturday.

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And while Napoli are five points clear at the top of Serie A and are unbeaten this season, Spalletti is taking nothing for granted.

“Liverpool is a good team and they are in good shape as well," he said. "We ought not to be tricked by the latest result and think they are not in good form. I watched the game and Liverpool, as far as I am concerned, are in really good shape, it's the same old Liverpool.

"Obviously if you miss 10 good chances like they did at the weekend and end up conceding a goal you might have a few questions raised about that particular result. But I will send my players out there to play.

"What I won't allow to happen is not playing, not trying to win tackles and duels. They have to play well with a calm head, play to get a good result and there might be moments when we have to try to resist their qualities and fight against them.

"I want to see our players try to win the ball back and play with the same approach we have done. That is what we are capable of doing and by playing our game that is how we will get a result."

Liverpool boss Klopp has suggested Napoli are arguably the best team in Europe at present and have a good chance of reaching the Champions League final if they maintain their current form.

“I read he said they are not winning 4-0 tomorrow," said Spalletti on Monday evening. "I think he was serious when he said what he did. I'm happy to talk to him about whether they can win 4-0 but obviously sometimes you get too much praise which can take you to too high a level and you end up listening too much.

"Pride comes before a fall. Who knows, the fact of the matter is he has been in two of the last four Champions League finals. We are not daft and are not hoodwinked by anyone."

Spalletti added: “Two months ago, it would have been difficult to think we come here having won five games and being ahead of Liverpool, who are perhaps the best club in the world. But that also means we have worked really hard and if you work hard you can find yourself in this position.

"Tomorrow it is going to be really tough. I am not sure we will be able to replicate the game we played when we won 4-1 in Naples. It makes a huge difference if you win the group – we are here with the best possible and purest of intentions to get a result tomorrow. We are playing on a wonderful stage against a top team and top fans."

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