Pre-Match: Napoli v Liverpool [UEFA CL Group Game 1] 17th Sep 2019 8pm

Liverpool begin their defence of their European crown in, likely, the toughest game in the group - away at Napoli.



Napoli are 5th in Serie A after two wins and one defeat.  That defeat coming against champions Juventus thanks to a late own goal from Kouliably.  Napoli were 3-0 down against Juve before scoring 3 times to level in just 15 minutes.

Dries Mertens scored both goals at the weekend in their 2-0 win over Sampdoria.

Liverpool's injury/unavailable list includes Alisson, Keita and Origi.

Match is on BT Sport 2 in the UK.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htqlqu1l2z4

Really tough match, but a no risk match, even if we lose its not the end of the world so we can play with some freedom.

I fancy us to just sneak a win as I think pound for pound we are the better team and we are full of confidence at the moment.

Really tough match, but a no risk match, even if we lose its not the end of the world so we can play with some freedom.

I fancy us to just sneak a win as I think pound for pound we are the better team and we are full of confidence at the moment.

Couldn’t have put it better myself

Looking forward to this and starting the defence of our European crown.

Expecting a good game and the same as heimdall - 1-2 red men 

Really tough match, but a no risk match, even if we lose its not the end of the world so we can play with some freedom.

I fancy us to just sneak a win as I think pound for pound we are the better team and we are full of confidence at the moment.

Spot on, but I really quite fancy us to beat them.

the late loss last season was a sore one, they will want to put that right.

There will defo be a few changes, hendo will start for sure, possibly lallana or shaq if mane hasn't recovered from his knock.

Same can be said for robbo, might see milner at LB ?

Pundits were saying Gomez might start at RB too.

Tricky away game but one I see us winning 2-1..

Spot on, but I really quite fancy us to beat them.

the late loss last season was a sore one, they will want to put that right.

There will defo be a few changes, hendo will start for sure, possibly lallana or shaq if mane hasn't recovered from his knock.

Same can be said for robbo, might see milner at LB ?

Pundits were saying Gomez might start at RB too.

Robbo didnt train this morning, but was on the plane to Italy. Origi did not travel, but Brewster did.

Gone for a 2  1 win for the Reds, in what could be a difficult game.

I posted 2-1 reds win as well. Seems to be the popular choice.
Think everyone agrees it’s probably our toughest match in the group, especially as we’ll no doubt see a few changes in the line up. Still strong, but might be a tad disjointed due to just that.
Graft coupled with belief should see us through. Just need to stay strong and concentrated at the back.

I posted 2-1 reds win as well. Seems to be the popular choice.
Think everyone agrees it’s probably our toughest match in the group, especially as we’ll no doubt see a few changes in the line up. Still strong, but might be a tad disjointed due to just that.
Graft coupled with belief should see us through. Just need to stay strong and concentrated at the back.

I think the only changes are Henderson for Ox and Bobby for Divock (unless Robbo is injured).

What I expect to see tomorrow. A sneaky 1 nil win will do!

Wouldn't be risking Robbo if there's any doubt, Sunday is the bigger game of the two by some distance.

I'm a bit worried thinking back to last season where we lost here, not about losing tomorrow but the effect it had on us last season when we played City at home 3 days later. We were lucky to escape with a draw.

Napoli gave ia a very difficult game and wore us down at the end to win, but it seemed to kill our legs for that City game.

With Chelsea away on the horizon I'm worried about the impact this game will have on that one. I'm sure Klopp will be aware of it, but I don't think he will rotate (the front 3 especially) against Napoli tomorrow unless he has to.

The midfield could be switched around a little and Milner will play IMO.

I dont see this as a game that we must win, but a game we must get out of the way to fight another day.

 Whatever the result tomorrow I think we should top this group.

Think this is a really tough game and we won’t be fluid at all.

But these days I fancy us to win every game, we’re so adaptable to match situations and manage to find a way. 2-0 to the reds in a horrible, scrappy game. Fancy VVD to get on the scoresheet.

Really tough match, but a no risk match, even if we lose its not the end of the world so we can play with some freedom.

I fancy us to just sneak a win as I think pound for pound we are the better team and we are full of confidence at the moment.

Wouldn’t say there is freedom with this match and not too bad if we lose. We play Chelsea at the weekend, I want us going into that game on the back of a win against a side that nearly put us out last season and then slaughtered us back in the summer.

Forget all this free pass nonsense, let’s win every game! Like you say, we are full of confidence, I don’t want that to drop going into a massive game at the weekend.

Wouldn't be risking Robbo if there's any doubt, Sunday is the bigger game of the two by some distance.

Exactly this Sunday far more important in the scheme of things. Would play Gomez for sure and Milner . Hendo to come back as well

It  does not matter what eleven we start with as the whole squad want to be winners and that can't be a bad thing.It will be a close match but class will prevail and the MIGHTY REDS will win.

The most important game is always the next one,  starting tomorrow

Gone for 2-0 but I could see us scoring way more than 2.

This is going to be a tough match, would be great for momentum if we get a result but like it was mention it isn't the end of the world if we suffer a lost. Watched a bit of their game vs Samdoria the weekend though they didn't play Allan and Manolas who I expect play tomorrow they are pacey side with good attack with the likes of Mertens, Insigne, Lozano and Callejon. I just like to see us perform better then we did last year where we didn't have much of the ball or create any chances.

As for the line-up I expect us to go with pretty strong line-up, could see a change or two but see similar side to one who played the weekend (especially with the news Robbo could be out)

----------------Adrian-------------------
TAA-----Matip---------VvD------Milner
------Gini----Fabinho-----Hendo-------
--Salah------Firmino-------Mane-------

Subs: Kelleher, Lovern, Gomez, Lallana, Ox, Shaqiri, Brewster

If anyone is even a remote concern, than I wouldn't start them. Mane, Robbo, etc. Obviously their always in our preferred 11, but I wouldn't risk anything right now. It would be great to win tomorrow, forsure. We all want to. But winning Sunday is a must. A loss tomorrow wont kill us, we are definitely getting through to the knock out stage.

Hell, I honestly think we will get to the final AGAIN

A point wouldn't be the end of the world, but a win would make us odds on to top the group. Let's get revenge for last season 👍

Couldn't be happier to play Napoli away in the first match.

After last season's shambles at their ground, knocking them out in the final game and then going on to win it, this is the perfect game to get on the front foot.

In saying that, i'd take a point if given it now. Should really be strolling through the rest and then we can knock these off at Anfield to secure top spot in the group.

Adrian

TAA
Matip
VVD
Milner

Fabinho
Henderson
Gini

Mane
Salah
Firmino

Won't be too downhearted if we don't get all 3 points, even a defeat wouldn't bother me too much. Only thing that would slightly worry me is the fact we could lose a bit of momentum if we do fail to win. That said, we had  some poor performances in the group stages last year and it didn't seem to effect our league form in the slightest.

On a different point I hope all the supporters who've traveled over stay safe. Lots of spares knocking about for this one, quite a few below FV too so understandably there's a lot of people who don't fancy it. Naples is a lovely place (especially the old town) but it can drag itself back into the dark ages when Football is involved

Robbo a doubt, so Milner? May be TAA will be rested & Jürgen might go with Joe at RB - counter Lozano's pace. Otherwise, the front-6 pretty much picks itself.

Of the 20 traveled, Robbo and Lonergan wont make the squad probably.

Mane-Bobby-Mo
Gini-Fab-Hendo
Milly-Virgil-Matip-Gomez
Adrian

Subs: Kelleher, Lovren, TAA, Ox, Lallana, Shaq, Brewster

Tough match this and I'd take a point as I expect us to beat them in the return fixture.

1 all for me in a hard fought contest.

NB: Team no longer available

Pretty sure this will be the team. Don’t think any chances will be taken with Robbo and seems like the type of game where Jürgen would elect to go with Gomez.

I fancy us to just sneak a win as I think pound for pound we are the better team and we are full of confidence at the moment.

Going 0-1 for this one.

If I remember correctly in last season's game  I don't think we were anywhere near our best and correct me if I'm wrong one of our worst games of the season,

Anyhoo, it don't matter cos like us they will go through to the knockout stages without too much ado, it's only a matter of who finishes top,
I don't fear anyone in the CL, not f***in one, Juve,  RM, Barca, bring it f***in on,

I'm going for 1-2 win, why, because we can.


YNWA

They're a good side.. probably one of the toughest opponents we faced on the way to Madrid last season.
Anchelotti has them well organised and they have a couple of top players who can turn the game for them.
If I remember rightly last time we played them on their own ground, Jürgen set up for the away point and we never really troubled them in the final third. Then they whipped our ass in time added on to poach the winner from us and take all 3 points.

I just don't see Jürgen making that same judgement with the line up and set up tonight.
Plus the fact, we have the most potent front three on the planet right now and If they move and rotate like they did against Newcastle on Saturday, Mr Koulibaly and his back four need to be on their game.

We need fear no one in this competition.
We are the unbearables !!! and more importantly, we are the European Champions.

 

Reports in Italy say Robbo fit to play. We'll see, but i hooe so.

We are the unbearables !!!

Bit harsh...

Divi down and it seems once again that we havent much cover in attack

I think the story of our first two seasons back in the Champions League is that we start very slowly and end up in the final.

To be honest, if we smash these 5-0 I'd be concerned we had peaked too soon.

Seems strange considering we are on such a winning streak but I'd take a point.  Let's face it, Napoli are going to be well more up for this than us after we knocked them out of the tournament last year.

Looking forward to it, seems like a bit of a free hit. 

If I remember correctly in last season's game  I don't think we were anywhere near our best and correct me if I'm wrong one of our worst games of the season,

For me, it was our worst performance of last season. 

I find these games relaxing for some reason. I'm so much more nervous for league games these days!

We cannot be any worse than last year and I think Fabinho & Hendo in this years midfield should help.

Start of another campaign , can we do the unthinkable and get to our third in a row ,? Any sort of run with players staying fit and there won’t be many relishing taking us on , we’ve got our mojo back and it’s time to relish it
Cmon you red men .

Preparing the defend the reigning Champions.

I think the story of our first two seasons back in the Champions League is that we start very slowly and end up in the final.

To be honest, if we smash these 5-0 I'd be concerned we had peaked too soon.

Seems strange considering we are on such a winning streak but I'd take a point.  Let's face it, Napoli are going to be well more up for this than us after we knocked them out of the tournament last year.

Looking forward to it, seems like a bit of a free hit. 

For me, it was our worst performance of last season. 

Thought as much JD,  like you rightly said we start slow and improve as we go on, I'm sure there was a time last season that we were in danger of not qualifying , so yeah finding your peak is tantamount to succeed further up the pipe.


I think we'll see this side tonight, no real surprises....

                        Adrian
        Gomez Matip VvD Milner
                         Fabinho
             Hendo               Gini
         Salah     Firmino     Mane


It'll be as tight as a nun's punani, but i think we will win 1-2, good side this and they will test us no doubt,
Bobby & Salah with the goodies.

MON REDMEN!!!


YNWA

I genuinely can’t see Klopp losing a two legged tie and we should qualify from this group - we’re going to another European final boys!

Think we’re going to be sensational tonight & send out a message..

 ‘We shall not be moved..’

This could be a tough game. But it obviously won't define our C/L campaign.They did us pre season so they will be confident. We have to keep it tight. Do a job on them, not our game but staying a bit deeper and hit them on the break could be the way.

I've heard a few reds have been attacked over there in a bar including one lad getting a crow bar over the head. Hope all Reds stay safe out there. Think we'll nick a tight game 2-1

Last year, they set up to contain and hit us on the break, but opened up when they saw how disjointed we were.

I expect Ancelotti to be just as cagey, and I expect us to keep things tight.

I think it might be quite a boring game, with one side sneaking a win, or a a bore draw.
I'm not fussed if we draw, it would be nice to get a point on the board.
A win would be a cracking start, but I don't see us going all out for it.

Expect Mane to score tonight, he seems really on fire lately.

Robbo passed fit

I've heard a few reds have been attacked over there in a bar including one lad getting a crow bar over the head. Hope all Reds stay safe out there. Think we'll nick a tight game 2-1

These nutters have no place in football, they should be weeded out and given a life long ban, from attending any sort of sporting event. I hope that the lads are ok.

After seeing John Stones out for over a month I think one of the aims tonight should be getting through it without an injury!