Premier League Notes - Week 14

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 14

The 14th week of the 2019-2020 Premier League season saw:

31 goals - most by Tottenham = 3

260 shots - most by Man City = 24

99 on target - most by Man City = 9

122 corners - most by Arsenal = 12

186 fouls - most by Sheff Utd = 18

26 bookings - most by Sheff Utd = 5

1 red card - Alisson for Liverpool

1 penalty - 1 scored (Aubameyang for Arsenal)

#NEWMCI

The Magpies made up for last week’s dire display at Villa Park (week 13), by frustrating the hell out of the champions, and grabbing a point from Pep Guardiola’s men when they thought Kevin De Bruyne found the winner with a smacker from distance, in off the crossbar to make it 1-2 with under ten minutes to go (82’). But ex-Liverpool player Jonjo Shelvey produced an unstoppable stunner to make it 2-2 (88’), keeping the unbeaten home run going at six games since losing to Arsenal on the opening weekend (week 1). Steve Bruce had keeper Martin Dúbravka to thank as well for keeping his side in the game with some strong stops. The draw sees City drop eleven points behind the Red league leaders, whilst Newcastle remain 14th, but just a couple of points off the top half, and only four points separating them from the top five.

#BURCRY

Man of the match Wilfried Zaha (45+1’) and sub Jeffrey Schlupp (78’) helped Palace to their first league win in six games. Sean Dyche was disappointed with the result, but not with the display, the hosts kept on pushing, but unlike their opposition, couldn’t break the cage. The Clarets have lost all three home games in which they have conceded. The result took Roy Hodgson’s side up to eleventh, level on points with their opponents in tenth. 

#CHEWHU

Aaron Cresswell’s winning goal (48’) was a top-quality cracker and deserved all the replays and points, ending his side’s seven-game winless run. Hammers third-choice keeper David Martin was in tears after the match, the 33-year-old’s debut in which he starred with an inspired performance and top stops and blocks, embracing his dad, West Ham legend Alvin. It’s the visitors’ first clean sheet since 22 September (week 6) and their first victory at Stamford Bridge for 17 years, the three points taking them up to 13th, four points clear from the drop zone, whilst the Blues fall three points behind Man City in third after back-to-back defeats.

#LIVBHA

The league leaders bossed the show at Anfield in the first half, leading thanks to Virgil van Dijk’s headed brace (18’, 24’). But it wouldn’t be Liverpool without some twists and turns and nervous ending. Jürgen Klopp saw his keeper Alisson sent off for handling the ball outside the box (76’). Sub stopper Adrián was still getting ready and positioning his wall when ref Martin Atkinson blew the whistle allowing sub Leandro Trossard’s quick low take hit the back of the net to make it 2:1 (79’), and make the final ten minutes very nervous and tense. But the Reds held on, the win moving them 11 points clear at the top before Sunday's games, equalling their longest ever unbeaten run in the top flight = 31 games without defeat (also between May 1987 and March 1988).

#TOTBOU

Just like last week, Spurs were bossing the match and cruising thanks to Deli Alli’s brace (21’, 50’) and Moussa Sissoko’s close-range volley (69’). But José Mourinho saw his men concede a couple of needless late goals again like last week (week 13), Harry Wilson capitalising on some sloppy and sleepy defending (73’, 90+6’). But I’m sure the Portuguese won’t have or receive many complaints after his side’s first back-to-back wins this season, taking them up to fifth. Eddie Howe meanwhile, saw his Cherries lose three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since December 2018, pulling them down to 12th.

#SOUWAT

The Saints produced the perfect comeback at St Mary's, with late goals from Danny Ings (78’) and James Ward-Prowse (83’), after Ismaïla Sarr had given the Hornets a deserved lead in the first half (24’). Their first league win since September eased the pressure on their own boss Ralph Hasenhüttl, his half-time substitutions worked and did the trick. The defeat left the visitors bottom of the Premier League and no other choice than to sack their boss Quique Sánchez Flores after less than three months in charge.

#NORARS

The Gunners nicked a point thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s brace (29’ pen, 57’), the home side left gutted not to have capitalised fully on some shambolic defending and wasteful play in general. Interim boss Freddie Ljungberg looked frustrated at the full-time whistle. This game showed what difficult job this was for Unai Emery and will be for whoever his permanent replacement is going to be. Daniel Farke’s side outplayed the visitors by far, Teemu Pukki (21’) and Todd Cantwell (45+2’) back on the scoreboard after individual droughts. The result leaves Arsenal eighth in the Premier League, seven points off a place in the top four, while Norwich remain 19th, three points from safety.

#WOLSHU

The Blades bossed the first half and were ahead thanks to Lys Mousset’s early opener (2’). Nuno Espírito Santo's side were second best until Matt Doherty headed in the equaliser (64’), the goal extending their unbeaten run to nine games, their longest run in the top-flight since April 1973, keeping them in sixth. Chris Wilder’s men have not lost away in the league since last January and remain seventh.

#LEIEVE

Djibril Sidibé delivered an absolute beauty from the right side into the six-yard area which Richarlison powered in with a cracking header (23’), an excellent move with an excellent finish. The Foxes were falling all over the place, looking for penalties left, right and centre. VAR got it right for a change when Ben Chilwell’s dive was spotted, the penalty decision overturned, but why wasn’t he booked?! There was no contact! Pf! SIX MINUTES into added time, Kelechi Iheanacho didn’t give a damn about the raised flag, the Nigerian forward was so sure of himself and his sublime finish, he was gone celebrating. VAR confirmed he was onside, Brendan Rodgers over the moon with yet another comeback win, his counterpart Marco Silva understandably devastated (and sacked in the morning?). The result keeps the 2016 champions eight points behind the Reds, whilst the Toffees drop to 17th, two points away from the drop zone. 

#MUNAVI

Jack Grealish was fouled by Andreas Pereira but that didn’t put him off and the Villa man produced an awesome curling finish from an angle to beat David de Gea and stun Old Trafford (11’). Marcus Rashford's header came off the post before bouncing up and hitting Villa keeper Tom Heaton's shoulder on its way over the line, own goal, 1-1 (42’), lucky after a poor first half by Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s men. Sub Victor Lindelöf (64’) and Tyrone Mings (66’) added to the scoreboard in a crazy couple of minutes, the linesman corrected by VAR, confirming the latter goal, the English centre-back didn’t celebrate because he thought he was offside, but no more points for either side, two goals and one point each sees them end the weekend in ninth and fifteenth respectively. Dean Smith’s side deserved more than just avoiding defeat at Old Trafford for the first time since 2009. The Red Devils are in their worst form in 30 years with just 18 points after 14 games.

My Predictions - Actual Results

Newcastle 1:1 Man City - 2:2

Burnley 2:0 Crystal Palace - 0:2

Chelsea 2:0 West Ham - 0:1

Liverpool 3:1 Brighton - 2:1

Tottenham 3:1 Bournemouth - 3:2

Southampton 1:2 Watford - 2:1

Norwich 1:2 Arsenal - 2:2

Wolves 2:1 Sheff Utd - 1:1

Leicester 4:1 Everton - 2:1

Man Utd 2:1 Aston Villa - 2:2

Click here for last week’s Premier League Notes.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports and RMC Sport coverage.

Premier League Notes - Week 1

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 1 

The opening week of the 2019-2020 Premier League season saw:

27 goals - most by Man City = 5
228 shots - most by Tottenham = 31
78 on target - most by Man City = 9
91 corners - most by Tottenham = 14
34 offsides - most by Norwich/Burnley = 5 each
359 tackles - most by Aston Villa = 29
225 fouls - most by Sheff Utd = 19
28 bookings - most by Chelsea = 4
1 red card - Schneiderlin for Everton
2 penalties - 2 scored (Agüero for City, Rashford for United) 

VAR Stats 
Average of 7 checks per game 
3 overturned decisions: 
2 disallowed goals (City and Wolves) and Agüero’s penalty retake

The first game of the season was Liverpool's convincing win against Norwich on Friday night, thrashing the newly promoted side in the first half, and keeping them at bay after the break. An injury to Red keeper Alisson didn't help Jürgen Klopp's men, his replacement and LFC debutante Adrián did a good job under the circumstances. VAR went totally unnoticed, surprisingly. Click here for my ByTheMin Twitter live match coverage. 

Manchester United thrashed Chelsea in the Super Sunday clash. But the scoreline is very harsh and doesn’t reflect the game at all. It was much more competitive, cagey and close in the first hour, just fell to bits with two quick goals. Same with Tottenham against newly promoted Aston Villa, Harry Kane making the crucial difference with two goals in the final four minutes (86', 90').

Manchester City took West Ham apart, making my prediction look more ridiculous with every goal. I honestly thought the Hammers could surprise us after having a very active and positive summer. Pf. Fool me. Dream starts for Burnley and Brighton went pretty unnoticed with all the focus just on the top teams, both sides recording convincing 3-0 wins against Southampton and at Watford respectively.

Raheem Sterling starred for the champions with a hat-trick (51', 75', 90'+1'), Kane and Marcus Rashford (18' pen, 67'), as mentioned above, helped their sides to opening wins with a brace each. Mohamed Salah scored and provided (19', 28') in an explosive first half at Anfield. Same old names at the top, ey?
Billy Sharp’s last-minute equaliser for Sheffield United broke Bournemouth hearts (88'). In only his third PL appearance, the local lad scored with his first top-flight shot. One to remember. Tanguy Ndombele’s leveller for Spurs against Villa was a cracker as well.

As mentioned above, it has been confirmed and was quite clear from the offset, Alisson went down and will be out for a while! It looked like the Brazilian stopper was hit by a ghost?! He looked and searched for the culprit behind him  But it was obvious, he had pulled something. Worrying for Klopp and co. The Schadenfreude of the opposition fans was all over the social media afterwards.

And last but definitely not least, the beloved, VAR! See stats above. It has finally arrived in the Premier League and of course still needs getting used to. But I expected worse to be honest. The interruptions weren't half as long and bad as in the trials. And the reviews and overturned decisions were clear. I am sure especially Wolves boss Nuno Espírito Santo and also City manager Pep Guardiola see it differently, the prior's disallowed goal costing his side two points. It is just impossible to get everything right, but everything can at least be double-checked now. In the end, there is still human beings sitting in front of the screens, so, the decisions are, though more objective, still subjective. So we can and will still curse the officials. Same old. Even with the new technology.

My Predictions - Actual Results
Liverpool 5:1 Norwich - 4:1
West Ham 2:1 Man City - 0:5
Bournemouth 2:1 Sheff Utd - 1:1
Burnley 1:0 Southampton - 3:0
Crystal Palace 0:1 Everton - 0:0
Watford 0:0 Brighton - 0:3
Tottenham 3:1 Aston Villa - 3:1
Leicester 2:1 Wolves - 0:0
Newcastle 0:1 Arsenal - 0:1
Man United 1:1 Chelsea - 4:0

Click here for my previous Premier League Picks Of The Week.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, PL app, Sky Sports News and RMC Sport live coverage.

Let’s Talk About Six Baby

Sports - Football - CL Final - THFC 0:2 LFC 

LFC Make It Six

XxXXxX 

A week to go till the UEFA Super Cup in good old Istanbul (oh yes, we LOVE Istanbul), I thought I would go through my notes to recap and relive the night we became European Champions for the SIXth time:

That Saturday night, Madrid turned red, the whole of Europe and the football world was covered in red, cheers, songs and fire works.

After last year’s heart break against Real Madrid in Kiev, Liverpool came to the Spanish capital to make sure it will all be rectified, by beating Tottenham 0-2.

It took just over 22 seconds for the Reds to get a breakthrough. Handball given against Moussa Sissoko, blocking Sadio Mané’s take, penalty! VAR confirmed the arm moved towards the ball after it bounced off the player’s chest.

Mohamed Salah banged the spot kick in, leaving Hugo Lloris uselessly blank, 0-1 (2’). 

Jürgen Klopp’s men were in control from then on, but had Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker to thank for keeping their cool and very solid on a handful of occasions.

Spurs dominated possession and chances, Christian Erikson’s late free kick was the top pick of the saves, full-stretch (85’). Gulp.

The more relieving and satisfying it was to see sub Divock Origi double the Reds’ lead (87’) and get the party started. Boom!

This encounter was maybe less thrilling, shocking, unbelievable than the semi-finals and THAT 2005 final  (the last time LFC won the CL in case you needed reminding, in Istanbul, I thought maybe just to mention), but still unforgettable. 

The stories leading up to the night, fans and players, of both sides, made this night oh so sweet! That's why we love football! :-D And that YNWA at the end, goosebumps! #YNWA

XxXXxX 

I enjoyed the night in a casino in the South-West of France, I was not the only Red full of joy (and my Gunner husband was happy as well).

The drive back up North was good fun, sharing the motorway with happy Red and not so happy Spurs vans and busses. Again, unforgettable.

I followed the victory parade on my phone, couldn't get the smile off my face and still can't. #LetsTalkAboutSixBaby

And what makes this even better, I am so sure it is just the start, the first, just the opening chapter of an even more glorious, joyous, and oh so happy story. #WalkOn #WithHopeInYourHeart #YNWA

Lots of fans are worried because of the lack of summer transfer activity at the club. WHY? Have you already forgotten what Klopp and co have done?! Why chop and change the record-breaking kings of Europe?! #WeAreTheChampions #WeWillKeepOnFighting

Click here for my last post.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC live match and parade coverage and report.

LFC Unable To Cope With PSG

Sports - Football - Champions League - PSG 2:1 LFC

Paris St Germain ended up easy 2-1 winners at the Parc des Princes, beating and frustrating the hell out of Liverpool, in their crucial Champions League group clash on Wednesday night.

The result means the Reds drop down to third in group C and will have to beat group-topping Napoli 1-0 or by two goals if they concede in the final and decisive group match on 11th December.

The French league leaders could not have asked for a better atmosphere and start to the match, Juan Bernat giving the hosts the lead, capitalising at the near post after Virgil van Dijk was unable to clear Kylian Mbappé’s cross into the box (13’).

Record-signing Neymar doubled the lead, slotting home from close range after Edinson Cavani’s attempt was saved by Alisson (37’).

James Milner pulled a goal back for the visitors after Sadio Mané was fouled in the box by Ángel Di María just before the break.

Referee Szymon Marciniak had originally given a corner before the linesman made him overturn his decision and point to the spot.

The Polish official was very inconsistent with his calls throughout the night, giving the hosts free kicks for every little touch and turn and dramatic fall, whilst the visitors were left wondering.

Marco Verratti was only cautioned when he lunged in with studs up onto Joe Gomez’s shin (24’) and got away with plenty more challenges after that, whilst one Liverpool player after another got booked (six in total).

Like Jürgen Klopp said after the match, the Reds were definitely not good enough, but the referee made it much worse:

“It looked like we were butchers when you look at the yellow cards we had. It was clever of PSG.”

Clever indeed, cause it frustrated the hell out of the visitors and they were unable to cope with the antiques and calculated overall control by Thomas Tuchel’s men.

The second half was interrupted again and again by someone rolling around, chances were hard to come by either end, any momentum impossible.

The Red front trio were covered well, surrounded whenever the ball came near them, any danger controlled and cleared quickly.

Marquinhos saw a goal disallowed for offside (47’) and his header from the centre of the box was kept out well by Brazilian compatriot Alisson (70’).

Gianluigi Buffon had nothing to do or even worry about on the other side of the pitch, the penalty being the only shot on target from the opposition.

In 16 years, Milner had never lost a game in which he scored, but records are there to be broken, and that one was shattered last night in Paris.

As painful as it was to watch, the Reds know they can do it, the kings of comebacks, just like they did in 2005. Again. And again. 

Klopp just has to look at and question his lineup and formation as it is just not working.

Jordan Henderson and Milner didn’t work too well together in the middle, Van Dijk and Gomez were disturbed by Dejan Lovren and at the front it’s still not clicking.

And it was harsh on Trent Alexander-Arnold and Xherdan Shaqiri, after their brill goals and displays in the league, not to give them a look into this crucial game.

Last season, the Reds were on fire, but leaked too much. This season, it seems like there is more stability but also a weird hesitance, odd caution, annoying softness, worrying weakness to the side, making it difficult for themselves to ignite that flame and take over and find that BOOM again.

When will it finally all click???

PSG Goals: Bernat 13’ and Neymar 37’.

LFC Goals: Milner pen 45’+1’.

Match Stats: PSG 2-1 LFC

Possession: 44%-56%

Shots: 12-8

On target: 8-1

Corners: 5-5

Fouls: 12-20

Bookings: 2-6

PSG Team: 1 Buffon; 14 Bernat, 3 Kimpembe, 2 Thiago Silva (c), 4 Kehrer; 10 Neymar (booked 90’+4’), 6 Verratti (booked 24’), 5 Marquinhos, 11 di María (13 da Silva 65’); 7 Mbappé (25 Rabiot 85’), 9 Cavani (17 Choupo-Mouting 65’). 4-4-2

Subs not used: 16 Areola, 23 Draxler, 27 Diaby, 34 N’Soki.

LFC Team: 13 Alisson; 26 Robertson (booked 90’+3’), 4 van Dijk (booked 90’+1’), 6 Lovren, 12 Gomez (booked 34’); 7 Milner (23 Shaqiri 77’), 14 Henderson (c), 5 Wijnaldum (booked 17’) (8 Keita 66’, booked 90’+5’); 10 Mané, 9 Firmino (15 Sturridge 71’, booked 84’), 11 Salah. 4-3-3

Subs not used: 3 Fabinho, 22 Mignolet, 32 Matip, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL)

Man of the match: Marquinhos 

Ground: Parc des Princes

Attendance: 46,880

Click here for my last LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, post-match reaction and Sky Sports app.

Deadlocked & Unbeaten Reds & Citizens

Sports - Football - Premier League - LFC 0:0 MCFC

Liverpool and Manchester City remain unbeaten and tied with Chelsea on 20 points at the top of the Premier League after their goalless draw at Anfield on Sunday.

It was definitely not the Super Sunday clash as it was built up and expected to be between the two sides that shared 12 goals in their two league meetings last season and six goals in their Champions League matches.

MCFC 5-0 LFC (09/09/2017), LFC 4-3 MCFC (14/01/2018)
LFC 3-0 MCFC (04/04/2018), MCFC 1-2 LFC (10/04/2018)

It took 62 minutes to get the first shot on target, Riyad Mahrez testing Alisson from inside the box shortly before Mohamed Salah's curler from 20 yards was easily caught by Ederson.

Both keepers had nothing to do until then, after a frantic opening 15-20 minutes, the Sky Blues kept the Reds under control and vice versa.

The visitors had 51% possession, their lowest in a Premier League games under their Spanish boss, the home side weren't helped though by injury to their vice-skipper James Milner with under half an hour gone.

It was the first time City failed to have a single shot in the first half since April 2010 against Arsenal and a shot on target in the first half of a Premier League game since the final game of last season against Southampton.

And November 2017 against Chelsea was the last time for Jürgen Klopp's side not to register an attempt on target in the first half of a Premier League game.

But it was not like they were not trying, Sadio Mané and Salah worked hard throughout, Roberto Firmino still seemed isolated and hardly got a touch or look into the game.

Man of the match Bernardo Silva was the key to that, keeping the Citizens locked, recording and completing more tackles than anyone else on the pitch.

Former Red Raheem Sterling and Argentinian fireman Sergio Agüero were both kept quiet, the latter was taken off after 66 minutes, his record against LFC looking dire with no goals in his ten appearances (700 minutes played, 0 wins, 11 shots, 3 on target).

The first genuine save came in the 74th minute, the home side's Brazilian stopper tipping away Mahrez's low shot.

Pep Guardiola's men were given a lifeline after Virgil van Dijk slid into Leroy Sané, getting more of the man than the ball, seconds after it looked like the latter had fouled Salah in the buildup.

Penalty to City it was, five minutes of normal time to go, all hard work looked to be undone for the Reds, until Mahrez took the kick off Gabriel Jesus and put it sky-high to the left and out, relief all round at Anfield.

The Algerian winger has missed five of his last eight spot kicks (four for Leicester, one for City), among players to have taken at least 10 penalties in the Premier League, only former Aston Villa man Juan Pablo Ángel (50%, 5/10) has a lower rate than Mahrez (58%, 7/12).

The champions have not won a league game at Anfield in 15 years, but as frustrating as that miss was, both bosses left happy with their sides' unbeaten records and clean sheets in tact.

Pep has won just one of his past eight managerial meetings with Klopp in all competitions (D3, L4), and is winless in the most recent four (D1, L3, see links above).

Liverpool's total of 20 points is their joint-most after eight games of a Premier League campaign, having also done so in 1996-97 and 2008-09.

As mentioned above, both the Reds and Sky Blues with Chelsea remain unbeaten in the league this campaign, which is just the second time in the Premier League era that as many as three teams have gone unbeaten in their opening eight games of a single season (also 2011-12 with Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle).

The international break is coming at a perfect time for all three sides, to recharge, recap and restart their winning mentality and firing boots.

Liverpool Team: 13 Alisson; 26 Robertson, 4 van Dijk, 6 Lovren, 12 Gomez; 7 Milner (8 Keita 29'), 14 Henderson (c), 5 Wijnaldum (booked 90'); 10 Mané, 9 Firmino (15 Sturridge 72'), 11 Salah. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 3 Fabinho, 22 Mignolet, 23 Shaqiri, 32 Matip, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

Man City Team: 31 Ederson; 22 Mendy (booked 64'), 14 Laporte, 5 Stones, 2 Walker; 25 Fernandinho, B Silva (booked 21'); 7 Sterling (19 Sané 76'), 21 D Silva (c), 26 Mahrez; 10 Agüero (booked 56') (33 de Jesus 66'). 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 3 Danilo, 4 Kompany, 30 Otamendi, 47 Foden, 49 Muric.

HT Stats: LFC 0-0 MCFC
Possession: 43%-57%
Shots: 2-1
On target: 0-0
Corners: 2-4
Fouls: 5-3
Bookings: 0-1

FT Stats: LFC 0-0 MCFC
Possession: 49%-51%
Shots: 7-6
On target: 2-2
Corners: 2-6
Fouls: 10-10
Bookings: 1-3

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Man of the match: Bernardo Silva
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 52,117

Click here for my last LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Twitter, Sky Sports and RMC app and match coverage.

CL Shocker At San Paolo For Reds

Sports - Football - Champions League - NAP 1:0 LIV

Liverpool suffered their second defeat in their last three matches, all winless in all competitions, losing 1:0 against Napoli in the Champions League group match at the Stadio San Paolo, thanks to Lorenzo Insigne’s last-minute winner (90’).

The Reds were a shadow of their usual attacking and hungry selves, losing the ball again and again and not recording a single shot on target in Italy on Wednesday night.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men, second in Serie A, six points behind leaders Juventus, dominated possession, play and didn’t let the visitors have a single sniffer into the game.

Jürgen Klopp was unusually quiet as well, not his usual manic shouting and gesturing self on the sideline. One could feel something was just missing, not clicking, not right.

Especially the front trio, Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah just couldn’t connect and kept misplacing and losing the ball, whilst there was no sign at all of Roberto Firmino.

It didn’t help when Naby Keïta had to be replaced by Jordan Henderson early on in the first half due to an injury to his back (18’).

Alisson stopped Arkadiusz Milik’s shot from swivelling in and collected the rebound (33’) before the Blues upped their game after the restart.

Milik’s drive was too much for the Brazilian stopper and needed to be hacked away by Virgil van Dijk (50’).

Joe Gomez cleared José Callejón’s volley off the line (75’) before sub Dries Mertens hit the crossbar (82’).

But the hosts were rewarded for all their hard work in the final minute of normal time when man of the match Insigne netted Callejón’s precise cross, sparking wild celebrations.

This result and PSG’s 6-1 thrashing of Red Star Belgrade throw Group C wide open, taking Napoli above Liverpool to the top.

It was the first time since February 2006 that the Reds have failed to record a single shot on target in a Champions League game (0-1 vs Benfica).

And December 2009 was the last time they have lost a Champions League game thanks to a 90th minute winner (Alberto Gilardino for Fiorentina).

It was the worst display by far this season, no pace, no connection, no chance and last season’s finalists only had their keeper and defenders to thank that it didn’t end up being a bigger thrashing.

It will not help their confidence ahead of the big Super Sunday Premier League clash against champions and league leaders Manchester City.

If they play like this against the champions, they will get thrashed, torn to bits and left to wreck... 

But it wouldn't be the first time for Klopp to have a surprise up his sleeve and come back stronger. 

The German conceded this one goes on him, it was his fault and will make sure they will learn from it to make sure the Reds keep their unbeaten record in the Premier League up and going.

Napoli Goal: Insigne 90’.

Napoli Team: 25 Ospina; 6 Rui, 26 Koulibaly (booked 25’), 33 Albiol, 19 Maksimovic; 8 Ruiz Peña (14 Mertens 68’), 17 Hamsik (c) (20 Zielinski 81’), 5 Allan, 7 Callejón; 99 Milik (9 Verdi 68’), 24 Insigne. 4-4-2

Subs not used: 23 Hysajs, 27 Karnezis, 30 Rog, 42 Diawara.

Liverpool Team: 13 Allison; 26 Robertson, 4 van Dijk, 12 Gomez, 66 Alexander-Arnold; 8 Keita (14 Henderson 19’), 5 Wijnaldum, 7 Milner (c) (booked 45’+2’) (3 Fabinho 76’); 10 Mané (15 Sturridge 89’), 9 Firmino, 11 Salah. 4-3-3

Subs not used: 6 Lovren, 18 Moreno, 22 Mignolet, 23 Shaqiri.

HT Stats: NAP 0-0 LIV

Possession: 52%-48%

Shots: 3-3

On target: 1-0

Corners: 1-0

Fouls: 5-5

Bookings: 1-1

FT Stats: NAP 1-0 LIV

Possession: 57%-43%

Shots: 14-4

On target: 5-0

Corners: 5-1

Fouls: 12-9

Bookings: 1-1

Referee: Viktor Kassai

Man of the match: Lorenzo Insigne

Ground: Stadio San Paolo

Attendance: 37,057

Click here for my last LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Sky Sports app and BT and RMC Sport coverage.