Liverpool, Napoli tussle for top spot

2019/20 UEFA Champions League

Matchday 5

26-27 November 2019

Liverpool and Napoli will tussle for top spot in Group E of the UEFA Champions League when they meet at Anfield on Wednesday 27 November 2019, kick-off at 20:00

Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly

Liverpool’s last Champions League outing brought them a 2-1 home win over Genk earlier this month, with goals from Gini Wijnaldum and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The result lifted Liverpool to the top of the standings on nine points and puts them within touching distance of a place in the knockout phase.

“We still have two big games coming up but to be top of the group is a good position to be in,” said Oxlade-Chamberlain, who added: “We had plenty of chances and could have scored more goals. That’s definitely something we can build on."

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Napoli’s indifferent recent form continued when they were held 1-1 at home by Red Bull Salzburg earlier in the month. The result saw the Neapolitans drop from first place to second (on eight points) and ramped up the pressure on manager Carlo Ancelotti. However, the Italian side can clinch progression with victory on Merseyside.

“[The draw against Salzburg] doesn’t change anything. We need to carry on working hard,” explained Hirving Lozano, who netted against the Austrian side, while Lorenzo Insigne added: “Napoli were compact, we were unlucky. We have to think positive after [the last result].”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp

In head-to-head stats, Liverpool and Napoli have met in five previous European matches. Both the Reds and the Neapolitans have claimed two wins, while one game has been drawn.

When the teams met in Naples back in September, the Serie A club claimed a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Dries Mertens and Fernando Llorente. Napoli are the only team to claim an outright win over Liverpool in any competition so far in 2019/20.