Liverpool’s Champions League campaign got off to a nightmare start in hot and humid Naples on Wednesday as sensational Napoli ran out comprehensive 4-1 winners.
Victor Osimhen set the precedent early on, hitting the post inside the opening minute before James Milner conceded a fifth-minute penalty, which Piotr Zielinski kept his cool to convert.
Liverpool stunned into submission, then presented Osimhen with his own chance to test Alisson from 12 yards after an ill-timed challenge from Virgil van Dijk was penalised by VAR review.
Alisson denied the Napoli striker’s spot-kick attempt, but Liverpool’s reprieve only lasted 13 minutes. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia outmuscled Joe Gomez – who enjoyed a torrid 45 minutes – before allowing Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa to slot the ball low past Liverpool’s helpless ‘keeper.
Things went from bad to worse shortly before the interval as substitute Giovanni Simeone – on in place of the injured Osimhen – turned home a low cross from Kvaratskhelia.