Late goals sink Liverpool in Naples as CL defence starts with defeat

Liverpool suffered another Champions League defeat in Naples after two late goals earned Napoli a 2-0 win on Tuesday night.

The Group E opener had looked to be drifting towards a goalless draw before Andrew Robertson was somewhat harshly penalised for a foul on Jose Callejon and Dries Mertens did the rest from the spot.

Napoli new boy Fernando Llorente then wrapped up the points in stoppage time as Virgil van Dijk gave away possession and the former Tottenham man slotted past Adrian.

Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz was twice denied by Reds keeper Adrian in an open first period in Naples, while at the other end Roberto Firmino headed just wide on the stroke of half-time.

Adrian produced a stunning stop to deny Mertens at the far post as Napoli tried to up the pace in the second half, while Liverpool were wasteful on the break as Sadio Mane failed to play in Mo Salah when clean through.

A mistake from Kostas Manolas then allowed Salah a sniff of goal but Alex Meret in the home goal made a brilliant fingertip save to deny the Egyptian.

Mane also fired straight at Meret, as Jurgen Klopp’s men continued to be a threat on the break, but it was the home side who broke the deadlock with 10 minutes to go.

Callejon went tumbling under a challenge from Robertson and although there looked to be minimal contact, VAR did not intervene and Mertens swept home from 12 yards.

And the points were wrapped up in stoppage time when former Llorente took advantage of a rare van Dijk mistake to coolly slot past Adrian.