Napoli v Liverpool: Pre-Match Talking Points
By Jordan Carreno
The Reds head to Naples, Italy on Wednesday to take on Napoli in their second Champions League group match. Kick off is set for 3:00 pm EST.
Champions League is back just in time to get you over the hump day blues. The bad news is that the Liverpool match will be on TNT’s B/R Live streaming service. The good news is all 3 LFC Tampa Bay pubs will be open, serving, and showing the match. So, while I would never promote lying to your boss, freeing up those last 2 hours of the workday to head on down and join us is a must. With all that said, let’s get into these 3 talking points.
Priorities
We’re two games away from wrapping up this wild run and heading into an international break. So far, Kloppo and the lads have done a wonderful job. League Cup exit aside, they’ve managed to beat the top seed in their Champions League group, take 4 points from two tough away fixtures against top 6 sides, and avoid slipping on the possible banana skin that was Southampton. All that remains is an away trip in Europe and an Anfield night against the defending champions.
Whilst 2 big matches in a week would usually see Klopp field his first eleven twice, given they come at the end of a such a brutal run might signal a different approach. With the results going the way they did on the first matchday of the group, and with a top of the table clash on the horizon, the match on Wednesday could allow an opportunity for Klopp to rotate the squad significantly.
7 players have started all of our Premier League and Champions League matches. Also, all 7 of those players have just finished playing in the most intense game of the season so far at Chelsea. With players like Mane and Salah looking a bit sluggish, and with Virgil Van Dijk nursing a rib injury, it could be necessary to use that newly acquired depth in order to ensure both upcoming performances are of the highest quality possible.
When drawing would guarantee at least being even on points at the top of the group, it might mean Klopp saves his “best eleven” for the challenge at the weekend. However, Klopp could see this as a chance to build on the Reds’ lead at the top of the group heading into the two Red Star fixtures, despite the Super Sunday matchup ahead. How Klopp prioritizes these two fixtures will give us huge insight into how he plans to manage this season as a whole.
Another Fab Chance
We finally got a taste of our new defensive midfielder in the League Cup Match against Chelsea, and it immediately became clear why Klopp had held him back from game time. For the first 30 minutes he looked to be slightly overwhelmed by the difference in game speed, often dwelling too long on the ball. However, as the game progressed he seemed to become more and more comfortable. That comfort will only continue to grow with an increase in game time.
Whilst the Premier League offers fast paced, high intensity football, it is often true that the continental brand is much more controlled and methodic. When you add in the stereotypes about the pace and intensity of Serie A, a Champions League match against Napoli might be the perfect middle ground for Fabinho to continue to find his feet. Though he is still getting to speed with the pace and intensity of this Liverpool side under Klopp, he does have plenty experience in the Champions League.
With Klopp likely to lean on his Premier League experienced midfield come Sunday, Fabinho might be needed to keep Henderson fresh. Also, Fabinho needs to start getting in-game experience in order to be up to speed when he’s really needed later on in the season. Plus, as previously stated, with the damage of dropping points being minimized after the first matchday results, it might be time for Jurgen to show a bit more faith in the big, Brazilian lad.
3 Managers and 7 years Ago
It is almost symbolic that the Reds find themselves back in Naples on a European night. This current Liverpool side is the manifestation of all the work done since FSG took over as owners. That story of trial and tribulation all began in 2010 when John Henry took over ownership of the club from Tom Hicks and George Gillett. It was the beginning of the journey from the brink of bankruptcy to being back among the giants of European football.
That first year under FSG saw Liverpool take on Napoli in the group stages of the Europa League under the stewardship of Roy Hodgson. The starting line-up in the away match featured names like Milan Jovanovic, Jay Spearing, Christian Poulsen, David N’gog, and Paul Komchesky. None of those players would be able to grasp the concept of, let alone sniff, the bench in the current Liverpool squad.
In that sense, it is somewhat appropriate we find ourselves back in Naples in the midst of this new ascension of Liverpool. Hopefully the images of the eleven that took the pitch with the Liverbird on their chest will serve as a reminder of how far we’ve come and how relatively good things are. In the era of modern football, the thirst for instant success can sometimes cloud out our perspective.
Just eight short years ago, the thought of Liverpool competing at the highest level was but a distant dream. We’ve now trudged that distance through many tough seasons and many average squads. Eventually this side will erase those dark times from the consciousness, but until then it should not be forgotten how much worse it could be.
Prediction
We’re back to continental football for this one. In typical fashion, both David and I picked up 2 points last time out against PSG by predicting the Reds would win with 3 goals. As always, feel free to join in at home.
I’ve been marauding my way through this season, predicting a Red romp at every corner. I’ve been ruthless, and usually wrong, in all of my assessments. Have I learned from my mistakes or am I doomed to repeat them? Well, we’ve got a huge game at the weekend and I fully expect a B+ side from Klopp. Add in there a formidable atmosphere and a talented, though aging, Napolo side and I feel a growing temptation to predict a draw. However, I’m mental and I just can’t pick us not to win. Plus, our B+ side is full of Champions League experience and enough talent to trouble Napoli. With all that said I’ll go 2–1 with plenty of clench.
David’s Prediction: I’m actually looking at this Napoli side with a skeptical eye. Carlo Ancelotti is a great manager, but let’s face it, he’s older and part of that generation of managers that is kind of being phased out, with a new generation of managers claiming the high profile jobs. And as Jordan points out, this Napoli side is aging too, whereas we’re young, quick, technical and boast one of the leading figures in the aforementioned new generation of managers.
With all that said, I never doubt an Italian team’s ability to suck the life out of a football match and make you wonder what the purpose of kicking a ball is in the first place. I expect a good atmosphere at the Stadio Sao Paolo and the home side to go for it on at least a few occasions after opening up with a draw against Red Star Belgrade. We do our usual thing, own our portion of the game and nick a goal, but the home side’s efforts pay off late on as they level it and Liverpool are content to draw away from home against a tough side. It’s 1–1 in the end and the Reds remain top of the group.
