Napoli vs Liverpool UEFA Champion League Group A Matchday 1 fixtures

Start of the season and first matchday at European campaign

Liverpool’s new European campaign will kick off on September 7 with an away match in Naples against Napoli. Ajax will face Rangers in the other Group A match.

The Reds are familiar with the opponents in the group from previous seasons, although there are certainly changes in their line-up. Experts see Liverpool and Napoli as favorites for the first and second places.

Merseysiders at the beginning of the season do not look great, as evidenced only by the 7th place in the Premier League table. Which is pretty low for the Reds. They have won two matches, drawn three times and lost once against Manchester United. However, this crisis is unlikely to drag on for months, and certainly the class should be enough to win their group and reach the 1/8 finals.

Napoli, by contrast, got off to a strong start and are now in second place in Serie A table. The Neapolitans have won three times in five matches and drawn twice. Goal difference +8 is the best in Italy.

It is difficult to name a favorite in the match. The match at Italy, where Liverpool have not shone in recent years, injuries, a weak start to the season – all this does not speak in favor of the Reds. Perhaps a draw on the road with the main rival in the group will be quite an acceptable result. I will be glad to win, of course.

The referee team from Spain, led by Carlos del Sorro Grande, has been appointed to referee the matchday 1.

Past matches

Liverpool and Napoli played in the Champions League group stage in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. Interestingly, the Neapolitans have the advantage in personal meetings. They won both matches at home (1:0, 2:0) and once took away a draw from Anfield (1:1).

In the 2010-11 season, the teams played in the group stage of the Europa League, then Liverpool won 3:1 at Anfield, and in Italy there was a 0:0 draw.

Team news

For Liverpool, Fabio Carvalho was injured in game against Everton. Also injured are Jordan Henderson, Ibrahima Konate, Caoimhin Kelleher, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Calvin Ramsay and Curtis Jones.

But he is fully prepared to play No.6 Thiago Alcantara. Klopp said: “He is ready. For how long, we will see.”

For Napoli, no injured. The whole team is ready to play.

Liverpool line-up

The defensive line-up is expected to be Robertson, Van Dijk, Matip and Alexander-Arnold.

Harvey Elliott and Fabinho will definitely play in the midfield, and either Thiago Alcantara will be the third.

In attack, Darvin Nunez or Roberto Firmino will take a place in the center, while Luis Diaz and Mo Salah will play the wings.

Win probability

Win probability Napoli vs Liverpool

Liverpool away victory record and new stadium name

The Reds can record their seventh consecutive away victory in European competition for the first time ever. Liverpool are looking to set a new club record at Naples after beaten Villarreal, Benfica, Internazionale, Milan, Porto and Atletico Madrid last season.

Since Liverpool last made the trip to Naples, the stadium has changed its name from Stadio San Paolo to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. That is, of course, in memory of the legendary Diego Maradona, who passing at November 2020.

The Argentine’s is not only one of the greatest players of all time, but also a superstar in Naples to this day. Renaming the stadium after him is a touching and well-deserved gesture.

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Match report for the UEFA Champions League Matchday 1

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