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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 18:02 EDT
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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

Sadio Mane has rectified that anomaly tonight but it hasn't been much better from Liverpool.

Michael Jones17 September 2019 20:58

Napoli 0 - 0 Liverpool

Second half: Napoli get us back underway. No changes from either team at half-time. Lozano is caught offside as the ball comes forward to him.

Michael Jones17 September 2019 21:05

Napoli 0 - 0 Liverpool

48 mins: Lozano is brought down and has to go off for a touch of treatment. Just a quick freeze spray on the lower back. 

Allan sends the ball forward to Mertens who gives it to Insigne. Insigne puts it wide and Mario Rui whips the ball into the far post. Mertens runs onto the ball and taps it towards goal but Adrian pushes the ball over the bar.

Michael Jones17 September 2019 21:09

Napoli 0 - 0 Liverpool

51 mins: A throw in for Liverpool comes to Salah. Salah flicks it down the wing for Henderson who runs with the ball and puts it into the box. Mane brings it down and tries to take it past Di Lorenzo but the Napoli right back makes the tackle.

Michael Jones17 September 2019 21:12

Napoli 0 - 0 Liverpool

54 mins: Napoli break quickly on the counter attack and get the ball out to Insigne on the left wing. He crosses the ball and Alexander-Arnold puts the ball out for a corner. Napoli send the ball into the middle but Liverpool react quickly and give Mane the ball.

He runs forward on the break with Salah sprinting up alongside him. They get to the box and Mane just has to find Salah but his pass is poor and the attack fails. 

Michael Jones17 September 2019 21:15

Napoli 0 - 0 Liverpool

57 mins: Robertson gets the first card of the match for fouling Callejon off the ball. He dragged him back as the midfielder tried to run in behind him. 

Michael Jones17 September 2019 21:16

Napoli 0 - 0 Liverpool

60 mins: Fabinho gives away a foul and Callejon puts the resultant free kick into the box but Adrian is able to claim the ball. 

Mane does his best to keep hold of the ball as Napoli's defenders come at him. Eventually he loses the ball to Callejon and Milner takes him out. Getting booked in the process. 

Michael Jones17 September 2019 21:21

Napoli 0 - 0 Liverpool

63 mins: Liverpool have a throw in deep in Napoli's half but they decide to play it back to the defence. Alexander-Arnold loses the ball and Napoli give it to Insigne with a ball over the top. Insigne finds Mertens who has a shot but Milner blocks it. 

Michael Jones17 September 2019 21:24

Napoli 0 - 0 Liverpool

66 mins: Chance for Mo Salah. Napoli make a mistake in the box and the ball comes to Salah, he turns and shoots but Meret pushes it past the far post.

Napoli defend the corner. 

Both teams make their first change. For Liverpool Milner is replaced with Wijnaldum and Napoli take off Insigne and bring on Zielinski,

Michael Jones17 September 2019 21:26

Napoli 0 - 0 Liverpool

69 mins: Napoli make another change as Lozano is replaced by former Tottenham man Fernando Llornete. 

Liverpool are pressing higher in this half. Alexander-Arnold dinks the ball into the box and tries to find Wijnaldum but the ball is headed away by Manolas. 

Michael Jones17 September 2019 21:30

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