Champions League: Liverpool’s possible starting lineup vs Napoli
Napoli were 4-1 winners the last time the two sides met. Here’s how Liverpool could line up against the Serie A leaders.
Liverpool qualified for the Champions League last 16 last Wednesday, and 12 teams are now through to the knockout rounds after matchday five of the group stage.
Having thumped Rangers 7-1 last time out, Liverpool confirmed their passage to the last 16 with a 3-0 win over Dutch giants Ajax. Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez and Harvey Elliot were on target for the Reds.
Jurgen Klopp’s side can still finish top of Group A but need a big win against Napoli on matchday six. The Serie A side have also booked their place in the last 16. Luciano Spalletti’s men will top Group A as long as they avoid a four-goal defeat at Anfield tonight.
Liverpool struggle
Liverpool have struggled recently, with defeats to Nottingham Forest and Leeds leaving the Anfield outfit 15 points off league leaders Arsenal in the Premier League.
The Reds have slipped to four defeats in the Premier League, taking only two points from matches against Forest, Leeds, Everton, Crystal Palace, Fulham and Brighton, however, Klopp insists it is too early to write off his side.
“I think the judgement for this should come later on in the season, or maybe at the end,” he said ahead of the Champions League clash with Napoli.
The German manager could rest some of his regular starters against the Serie A leaders on Tuesday, although Klopp knows that his team are in desperate need of a positive result following Saturday’s defeat at home to Leeds.
Spalletti’s side were 4-1 winners when the two sides met at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in September.
Liverpool’s possible XI vs Napoli
Alisson; Milner, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Jones, Thiago; Firmino, Salah, Núñez.
Champions League last 16: qualified teams
- Bayern Munich*
- Benfica
- Borussia Dortmund
- Chelsea*
- Club Brugge
- Inter Milan
- Liverpool
- Manchester City*
- Napoli
- Paris Saint-Germain
- FC Porto
- Real Madrid
*Confirmed as group winners
When is the Champions League last 16 draw?
The draw for the last 16 of the Champions League takes place at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland on Monday 7 November. The ceremony begins at 12.00pm CET, which is 6.00am ET.
When is the Champions League last 16?
The first legs are scheduled for 14/15/21/22 February 2023, with the second legs on 7/8/14/15 March 2023.