Late heartbreak for disappointing Reds: Player ratings from Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat against Napoli

Liverpool succumbed to a late defeat this evening in the Champions League after losing 1-0 away to Serie A giants Napoli, with the Reds providing a performance that lacked any real quality. 

The first half saw both sides battle it out but with little end product. The most notable incident was the unfortunate suspected back injury picked up by Liverpool new-boy Naby Keita. Napoli had a few half chances but the score remained 0-0 after 45 minutes.

Into the second half and it looked as though the Italians had stepped it up a little more but they couldn’t find a way through. The hosts looked the most likely to put themselves in front, hitting the crossbar in the process, but it looked as though it wasn’t meant to be for either side.

However, a late cross by Jose Callejon found Lorenzo Insigne who scored the all-important goal for the hosts, just yards off Alisson’s goal line. The late-finish was enough for Napoli who secured their first win of their Champions League campaign.

Liverpool have three points from two games and drop to second in Group C, with Napoli jumping ahead of them with four points.

Here is how we rated each player in Liverpool’s disappointing 1-0 defeat to Napoli.

Napoli

David Ospina – 7 – The former Arsenal shot-stopper had little to deal with in the opening 45 minutes. The same theme occurred in the second half but he did make a great save, running out and blocking Salah who would have had a one-on-one chance to put Liverpool ahead.

Kalidou Koulibaly – 7 – Rated as one of the best centre-backs in the world, Koulibaly did brilliantly to limit the most famous Egyptian footballer to mere half-chances and barely any space. Booked

Raul Albiol – 6 – The experienced defender had a big task on his hands having to deal with the pace of Liverpool’s front three. He did very well and used brain over pace to limit Liverpool’s accelerating attack.

Mario Rui – 7 – The left-back was adventurous enough going forward but was occasionally caught upfield when Liverpool broke. He was, however, extremely impressive at the back.

Nikola Maksimovic – 6 – Had slightly more trouble down his side of the pitch with Mane and Robertson linking up well but he didn’t do too much wrong against such a rapid attack.

Allan – 7 – Passion, passing and pressure from the Brazilian. Did his best to unlock the Liverpool defence and certainly helped to keep his own well-covered.

Fabian Ruiz – 6 – Like Allan, Ruiz gave the Serie A side a bit of bite in the middle of the park. Had a decent long-range effort saved. Subbed.

Marek Hamsik – 6 – Mr Napoli had to play to his maximum for Napoli to have a chance in winning this fixture. He was good but not as inspirational as we know he can be.

Lorenzo Insigne – 8 – A proper local boy, Insigne had the first chance of the match but his shot went just wide of Alisson’s right-hand post. Produced a great touch to open the Reds defence up but it wasn’t converted. However, he was the hero in the dying moments as he tucked away a cross to win all the points for the Italians.

Jose Callejon – 7 – Linked up well with his teammates as the Italians tried to break down the Reds defence. Provided the perfect assist for Insigne and got better as the game progressed.

Arkadiusz Milik – 5 – Fashioned himself a decent chance in the first half but his shot was straight at the Liverpool ‘keeper. Had a shot saved in the opening stages of the second half and stalled in the box, wasting a decent chance. A disappointing night. Subbed.

Substitutes 

Simone Verdi – 5 – Skied a shot from just outside the box. Ineffective.

Dries Mertens – 6 – Came close for the hosts as he shinned a superb cross against the crossbar in the final 10 minutes.

Liverpool

Alisson – 6 – Back in action against Italian opposition, Alisson’s positioning was pretty much perfect throughout as he got in the way of the majority of shots. Couldn’t do too much about the last minute goal.

Virgil van Dijk – 7 – Van Dijk always has a way of looking so relaxed yet so imposing on the opposition. Tonight was no different. Did very well to contain Milik and faced little trouble aerially.

Joe Gomez – 8 – The talented young English centre-back has fully established himself in the Liverpool backline and tonight he looked both calm and collected on the ball as he broke down attacks and made his way across the halfway line to start attacks for the visitors. Made a clearance off the line and continuously got himself in the way of crosses.Unlucky to be on the losing side.

Andrew Robertson – 6 – Another member of Liverpool’s youthful defence, Roberton was his usual self, charging up and down the left wing while tracking back when needed.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6 – Completing the back four, TAA did his best to confine Napoli to the middle of the park. Produced a great tackle to deny Milik. His crossing wasn’t as effective this evening but all-in-all gave a solid performance. However, the assist did come from his side of the pitch.

James Milner – 6 – Liverpool’s Mr Dependable and Captain in the absence of a starting Jordan Henderson, Milner gave his usual best to the cause. Booked. Subbed.

Georginio Wijnaldum – 6 – It was a real battle for space tonight as both sides naturally felt uncomfortable without the ball. Wijnaldum did well to get out of some tight situations and generally kept the ball well.

Naby Keita – 5 – Stepping in for the rested Henderson and making his Champions League debut for the club, he looked a little nervous, with his passing in the opening stages almost gifting Napoli with a goal. Picked up an injury early on and was stretched off the pitch which was an unfortunate end to his evening for the Reds. Subbed.

Sadio Mane – 6 – As you would expect, the Senegalese international continuously ran at the Napoli defence but couldn’t fashion himself or a teammate a clear opportunity. Subbed.

Mohamed Salah – 5 – Having failed to start the season in the same electric form he produced last campaign, he had a tough night against Koulibaly. Lost the ball

Roberto Firmino – 6 – The classy Brazilian scored the winner against Paris Saint-Germain last time out in Europe. Tonight, he was a handful, drawing numerous fouls from Napoli stars and filling in space all across the final third, but he failed to produce the magic that won the match against PSG and ultimately was uninspiring.

Substitutions

Jordan Henderson – 6 – On early after Keita’s early injury, Hendo provided some neat passes, some excellent pressure and genuine passion to the side.

Fabinho – 6 – Brought on to protect the point, Fabinho slotted in without inspiration or error.

Daniel Sturridge – 6 – Late sub, did nothing.

The post Late heartbreak for disappointing Reds: Player ratings from Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat against Napoli appeared first on Squawka News.

From Squawka NewsSquawka News https://ift.tt/2O6HKXT