UEFA Champions League Preview: Liverpool FC – SSC Napoli
Liverpool to look for balance
Liverpool’s woeful start to the season is no secret, if anything, it is well documented. However, Roy Hodgson’s men stand atop the Europa League Group K with five points from opening three fixtures. The Reds are undefeated on the continental
front and managed to hold out for a draw in Napoli a fortnight ago.
Roy Hodgson will have the fixture against Chelsea FC firmly on the back of his mind. Hodgson will have to use his players wisely as he cannot afford having his key players jaded before the mouth watering clash at Anfield. Hodgson will
be certainly happy the match against Napoli is at Anfield for he dreads the lengthy trips across the continent.
He stated, “At home it's a slightly lesser problem but of course we need to look at the minutes people are playing and try to keep some sort of balance there. When you're playing these European games it's the travelling that's one of the worst aspects.”
Azzurri yet to win, yet to lose
Walter Mazzarri’s side stands second in the Group with 3 points from three games. Azzurri are yet to record a victory in Europe as the three points have been accumulated courtesy three draws. Partenopei will look to reap advantage of Liverpool’s hectic schedule
and record the first Europa League victory for the season.
On domestic front, Azzurri for has been rather impressive. The men in blue stand fifth in a highly competitive Serie A. Mazzarri’s side have accumulated 15 points from the nine Serie A games it has played so far. The club is sweating over
Marek Hamsik’s contract talks. The Slovakian is the undoubted star player of the squad and should he make the highly anticipated moved to Old Trafford, Napoli will be handed a huge setback.
Hamsik for his part is not paying any heed to the rumours, “At the moment there are transfer rumours and that is all. I'm quite relaxed about the situation and I just want to play well for Napoli.”
Team News
Liverpool FC
Glen Johnson will make his return to the first team after missing out on four matches. Dirk Kuyt is set to miss three months of football as the Dutch winger damaged a thigh muscle on International duty. Daniel Agger, Fabio Aurelio and
Joe Cole will also sit out the encounter.
Hodgson is unlikely to risk Fernado Torres and Steven Gerrard as his side welcomes Chelsea on Sunday. David Ngog will start instead.
SSC Napoli
Walter Mazzari will have a full strength squad to choose from. Edinson Cavani was rested on the weekend and he will return to the squad and the lead the Partenopei line.
Key Players
David Ngog
The French youngster is Europa League top marksman as of now and in absence of Fernando Torres, Ngog will look to add further to his tally.
Ezequiel Lavezzi
The young Argentine may not score a lot of goals but his extraterrestrial work rate and stamina will put any defence into discomfort. The player has a lot of South America skill to go with his work rate and will look to aid his strike
partner in front of goal.
Prediction
Azzurri are taking Europa League seriously and will travel all the way to target a victory while Liverpool will have the home advantage playing at Anfield. Even when The Reds are playing poorly, it’s still difficult recording a victory
at Anfield. The match is likely to end in a stalemate with a 1 – 1 score line.
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