Wayne Lumbasi
Liverpool’s Champions League campaign got off to the worst possible start on Wednesday evening, as they were thrashed 4-1 by Napoli.
Piotr Zielinski’s penalty kick after James Milner’s handball gave Napoli the lead in the fifth minute. When Victor Osimhen was fouled by Virgil van Dijk, the hosts were given another opportunity to score from the penalty spot, but Osimhen’s attempt was saved.
The former Fulham midfielder Zambo Anguissa and substitute Giovanni Simeone made it 3-0 before halftime, continuing Napoli’s dominance. Liverpool were dealt another blow just two minutes into the second half as Zielinski scored his brace.
Alisson saved the Polish international’s original shot from inside the 18-yard box, but he easily put the rebound into the net from close range. . Despite Luis Diaz’s quick reply with a fine finish from outside of the box, Liverpool were unable to find their way back into the game.
Overall, Liverpool has lost in Naples twice previously and has advanced from the group stages for the Champions League, but they were hardly the same team that came close to winning every trophy last year. They were disheveled and disorganized.
Seven goals were possible instead of four. It’s not so much the quantity of opportunities as their clarity. A shot hit the woodwork, a penalty attempt was unsuccessful, and the goal line was cleared.
Liverpool won all six group games last season, that certainly won’t be happening this season. This result matched their worst defeat in Champions League football.
