Liverpool qualify for knockout stages

Liverpool did not attempt a single shot on target in their 1-0 defeat by Napoli in October, this quickly changed inside the opening five minutes. Robertson found Salah with an inviting cross, however his first time shot was tame and easily saved by the Napoli goalkeeper.

Liverpool were to have the ball in the back of Napoli’s net inside the opening twenty minutes, however the officials correctly ruled the goal out for offside. Trent Alexander-Arnold did well to progress down the right hand side and curl in a well hit cross, which Sadio Mane gratefully fired home past David Ospina. Replays show that the Senegal international was at least two yards offside, a correct decision.

Dries Mertens' two goals for Napoli against Red Star Belgrade in the last game took his tally to 10 in the Champions League, making him the highest Belgian goalscorer in the competition. He looked dangerous throughout the first half and picked up a nasty injury after a challenge from Virgil Van Dijk. The most expensive defender in the world appeared to time his challenge perfectly, however replays show that his studs were up and hit his standing foot. The Netherlands international was booked to the dismay of the Anfield faithful, perhaps a lucky escape. He will be suspended for the side's next round. 

Chances were few and far between in the opening half, and it took a piece of brilliance from Mo Salah to open the deadlock. Salah received the ball with his back to Mario Rui, however brilliantly managed to turn and leave the Portuguese defender for dead . The ‘Egyptian King’ then ran to the byline and had an audacious effort, trying his luck from an incredible acute angle. Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina guessed Salah’s intentions and dived to his right, allowing the ball to go through his legs and in to the Napoli goal. Poor goalkeeping, however sheer brilliance from Salah to score from that angle. With that goal he equalled Ian Rush’s record of 14 Champions League goals for Liverpool, and also scored his 35th goal in 38 Anfield appearances, not bad.

Liverpool tried to slow things down and gain control in the second half, with the nerves evident in Merseyside.

He may have been at fault for Liverpool’s goal, however David OspinSalah did well to round Ospina, but he got a glove to it and forced him wide, the former Arsenal goalkeeper then did well to save his effort on the retreat.

The Colombian had to be alert two minutes later. Robertson did well to get in behind the Napoli defence and square the ball to Mane. Mane struck his effort with menace, however Ospina’s trailing feet managed to kick the ball away.

Liverpool have been knocked out at this stage in two of their last three Champions League campaigns, and they knew that if they conceded they would almost certainly go out. They should have been behind after 80 minutes after an inexplicable Jose Callejon miss. Insigne set the ball up on a plate for Callejon, however he somehow managed to blaze the ball well over form four yards out. Napoli should have been level, their best chance of the game.

There was nearly late drama at Anfield, however Alisson saved his side and enured their progression. The Brazillian made himself as big as possible to block Arkadiusz Milik from close range, and then punch away the resulting cross winning a foul in the process. He is slowly paying back his price tag, his save was as important as Salah's goal, pure class. 

Napoli have now not won any of their last seven Champions League away matches (W0 D2 L5), since a 2-1 win at Benfica in December 2016. Liverpool progress in second place, whereas Napoli will have to settle for Europa League football.