Napoli hammer Liverpool in opening Champions League group game

Napoli 4-1 Liverpool.

Napoli hammered Liverpool in the opening game of Group A in the Champions League on Wednesday night. The Serie A side recorded a 4-1 victory at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium and could have easily scored more in a dominant performance. Napoli were excellent, while Liverpool were dreadful, particularly in the first half. Napoli almost opened the scoring after just 40 seconds of the match. Victor Osimhen ran behind Liverpool's static defence, reached the ball before Alisson and struck the post with his effort. Liverpool, however, didn't heed the warning. Piotr Zielinski scored a penalty after five minutes, sending Alisson the wrong way after the referee awarded the spot kick for a handball by James Milner. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/1567590792151146496 A few minutes later, Van Dijk fouled Osimhen and Napoli were awarded another penalty. The Nigerian striker, however, saw his penalty saved by Alisson. Yet, Liverpool, despite multiple warnings, still failed to get a grip on the game and the home side were soon 2-0 up. Andre Zambo Anguissa ghosted in behind Liverpool's defence to slot the ball home after some slapstick defending by Joe Gomez. https://twitter.com/VMSportIE/status/1567597458871525378 Liverpool's defence collapsed again just before half-time. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia cruised by Gomez and hit a low cross into Giovanni Simeone to tap home. https://twitter.com/VMSportIE/status/1567600436349214720 Liverpool were humiliated by Napoli in the opening half, as the Italian side outworked and outplayed them. And it only got marginally better for Klopp's team in the second period. Luis Diaz pulled a goal back after Zielinski scored Napoli's fourth goal of the evening. Liverpool failed to create any clear goalscoring chances for the rest of the game, however, and never looked like mounting a comeback. Napoli were outstanding and fully deserved to win. https://twitter.com/VMSportIE/status/1567605816970158082  

Napoli 4-1 Liverpool: Player ratings.

Napoli.

Meret: 7. Di Lorenzo: 7. Kim: 7. Rrahmani: 7. Olivera: 7. Lobotka: 7. Zambo: 8. Politano: 7. Zielinski: 8. Kvaratskhelia: 8 Osimhen: 8.

Subs: Simeone: 8. Zerbin: 7. Lozano: 6. Elmas: 6. Rui: 6.

Liverpool.

Alisson: 5. Alexander-Arnold: 3. Gomez: 3. Van Dijk: 3. Robertson: 4 Milner: 3 Fabinho: 4. Elliott: 4. Salah: 4. Firmino: 4. Diaz: 5.

Subs: Matip: 4. Nunez: 4. Jota: 4. Thiago: 5. Arthur: 4. Related links.

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