What do Liverpool need to qualify for Champions League last 16?
Holders came from behind to draw 1-1 with Napoli at Anfield
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool need to avoid defeat away to Red Bull Salzburg in their final Champions League group game in order to reach the knock-out stages.
The holders came from behind to draw 1-1 with Napoli at Anfield on Wednesday night, with Dejan Lovren cancelling out Dries Mertens’ first-half goal.
Salzburg’s comfortable 4-1 win away at Genk means that the Austrian champions can still qualify for the last 16 by beating Liverpool in a fortnight’s time.
Realistically, any victory will see Salzburg progress unless Liverpool score four or more away goals. Liverpool beat Salzburg 4-3 when the two sides met at Anfield last month.
Jurgen Klopp’s side could also qualify with a defeat if Napoli lose at home to basement-dwelling Genk, though that appears unlikely.
If Liverpool fail to qualify, they are guaranteed to finish third in Group E and drop into the Europa League. They would become the first holders to do so since Chelsea in the 2012-13 season.
The draw with Napoli means Liverpool remain top of Group E but they must beat Salzburg away in order to be guaranteed to qualify as group winners.
Klopp admitted that the trip to Salzburg will be a difficult one but remains hopeful that his side can reach the last 16.
“In [the Napoli] dressing room they feel like they are already through and maybe they are,” he said. “Everybody here thinks, ‘Oh my god, it will be tough’ and it will be tough, that much is clear.
“The way Napoli set up, it didn’t help that they scored, they could follow their plan all the time, we had to increase pressure all the time. We were not brilliant but we put pressure on them.
“I was not happy with the last 15 minutes of the first half. Second half it was just intense and of course it’s not easy, they really defended the goal they had.
“We didn’t have the biggest chances, maybe one or two. For tonight it might not be enough but it’s still our situation. When we go to Salzburg, if we had done it tonight we would try to win there, so it’s still our goal.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments