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As it happenedended

Liverpool beaten by Napoli in first Champions League fixture

Relive Liverpool’s match in Naples

Miguel Delaney
San Paolo Stadium, Naples
,Michael Jones
Tuesday 17 September 2019 23:02 BST
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Napoli v Liverpool: Champions League match preview

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Liverpool began the defence of their Champions League crown on a losing note as Dries Mertens' penalty and Fernando Llorente's injury-time strike handed Napoli a 2-0 victory.

On a balmy night at the intimidating Stadio San Paolo, the Reds fell behind in the 82nd minute when Mertens converted from the spot after Andy Robertson had upended Jose Callejon in the area.

Substitute Llorente - part of the Tottenham side beaten by the Reds in last season's Champions League final - then took advantage of a mistake from Virgil Van Dijk to bag his first goal for Napoli after joining them earlier this month.

Relive the action.

Napoli 0 - 0 Liverpool

21 mins: Both teams look equally threatening. When Liverpool mender forward Napoli get into good shape for defence. Insigne tries to take the ball off Henderson but the Liverpool captain instead is able to play the ball into Mane. Mane brings the ball down in the box and shoots, but Meret makes the save at the near post.

Michael Jones17 September 2019 20:24

Napoli 0 - 0 Liverpool

24 mins: Napoli like to push men forward when they have the ball. The formation almost changes from a 4-4-2 to a 4-2-4. Mertens delivers another corner into the box that van Dijk heads away. The ball comes back out to Mertens who puts another testing cross into the box that Matip heads out for a corner. 

Michael Jones17 September 2019 20:28

Napoli 0 - 0 Liverpool

27 mins: Cynical from Fabian as Mane skips past him with the ball. Fabian takes no prisoners and takes Mane out giving Liverpool a free kick in their own half. The ball comes out to the left wing and Milner gives away a throw in.

Michael Jones17 September 2019 20:30

Napoli 0 - 0 Liverpool

30 mins: Quicker from Napoli. They're very good when they come forward with pace. Lozano gets free on the left with Matip covering him, he still manages to get the ball into the box but Adrian is able to catch it before Mertens gets there. 

Michael Jones17 September 2019 20:32

Napoli 0 - 0 Liverpool

33 mins: Napoli are on top at the minute.They're asking questions of Liverpool's defence and the Reds can't seem to get the ball out of their own half. 

Henderson wins the ball in midfield and tries to send Mo Salah away on a counter attack but Napoli get back quickly and the attack breaks down. 

Michael Jones17 September 2019 20:36

Napoli 0 - 0 Liverpool

36 mins: Liverpool have done well to weather the period of Napoli's ascendancy. They're content to hold on to the ball, Salah brings the ball in from the right wing and up to the edge of the box. He shoots but drags his shot wide of goal. 

Michael Jones17 September 2019 20:39

Napoli 0 - 0 Liverpool

39 mins: Koulibaly has had a good game so far. He muscles Firmino off the ball before he can slot in Mane. The ball is worked out to Milner who takes it wide and crosses the ball back into the box. Koulibaly rises and heads the ball away. 

Michael Jones17 September 2019 20:41

Napoli 0 - 0 Liverpool

42 mins: Felix Brych has had a good game as well. He's let the match flow and hasn't been duped by a lot of the theatrical injuries players come up with. Napoli win another corner. Mertens puts it into the box and van Dijk heads it away. 

Michael Jones17 September 2019 20:44

Napoli 0 - 0 Liverpool

45 mins: A counter attack for Liverpool almost works but the final ball from Milner lets them down. Firmino holds up the ball and flicks it to Mane. Mane sends Milner into the box on the left as Salah sprints in on the right. Milner tries to square the ball to Salah but it is booted out for a corner.

Milner whips the corner ball into the box and Firmino wins the header, turning hid head powerfully into the ball and sends it wide of the far post. 

Michael Jones17 September 2019 20:47

Napoli 0 - 0 Liverpool

No goals in the first 45 minutes. Napoli have been the more threatening team, they've certainly had the better chances. 

Liverpool haven't troubled Meret enough and at times they've found it difficult to get the ball out of their own half.

Michael Jones17 September 2019 20:49

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