Napoli vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League result and final score after Reds routed

Napoli is the destination for Liverpool’s opening Champions League fixture of the season in what will prove to be a difficult encounter for Jurgen Klopp’s underperforming side. Klopp’s side have lost their last two visits to Naples and were beaten here in 2018 and 2019 whilst also being held to a 1-1 draw with Gli Azzurri at Anfield during the latter campaign.

Liverpool were runners-up in the Champions League last season after losing to Real Madrid in the Paris final but have never failed to reach the knockout rounds under the German boss. However, the Reds have had an indifferent start to their Premier League campaign with just two wins from their opening six games and look far away from their best form.

Meanwhile, Luciano Spalletti’s Napoli have made an excellent start to the season. Despite a summer that saw them lose club legends in Kalidou Koulibaly and Dries Mertens, as well as Lorenzo Insigne and Fabian Ruiz, they are second in Serie A following an unbeaten start. Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia lead a new-look team that has seen them net 12 goals in six games including two in a comeback victory against Lazio last Saturday.

Follow all the action from Napoli vs Liverpool below.

Napoli vs Liverpool

• 49’ - GOAL! Luis Diaz claws one back for Liverpool with a great strike from range (NAP 4-1 LIV)

• 47’ - GOAL! Zielinski scores early in the second half (NAP 4-0 LIV)

• 44’ - GOAL! Giovanni Simeone adds a third on his Champions League debut (NAP 3-0 LIV)

• 31’ - GOAL! Anguissa doubles Napoli’s lead (NAP 2-0 LIV)

• 19’ - SAVE! Alisson denies Osimhen’s penalty to keep Liverpool in the game (NAP 1-0 LIV)

• 5’ - GOAL! Piotr Zielinski puts Napoli in front with a penalty kick (NAP 1-0 LIV)

• Liverpool have lost two most recent away games against Napoli

• Napoli XI: Meret, Di Lorenzo, Kim, Rrahmani, Olivera, Politano, Lobotka, Zambo Anguissa, Kvaratshhelia, Zielinski, Osimhen

• Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Milner, Fabinho, Elliott, Salah, Firmino, Diaz

SSC Napoli 4 - 1 Liverpool FC

FT Napoli 4-1 Liverpool

22:03 , Michael Jones

Contrasting fortunes.

FT Napoli 4-1 Liverpool

21:59 , Michael Jones

This was Liverpool’s joint biggest Champions League defeat. They also lost 3-0 to Real Madrid in 2014 and Barcelona in 2019.

Full-time: Napoli 4-1 Liverpool

21:53 , Michael Jones

90+4 mins: Diogo Jota meets a corner with an effort on the volley but that chance is blocked as well. The full-time whistle goes and Napoli claim their deserved victory!

Jurgen Klopp has to go back to the drawing board once more. His team aren’t meeting their usually high standards. Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk in particular look like shadows of their former selves.

Is this just a phase or are Liverpool in a slump that they can’t get out of?

Napoli 4-1 Liverpool

21:49 , Michael Jones

90 mins: Four minutes of added time to play. The stadium is still packed with Napoli supporters. This is a huge win for them, Liverpool are the Champions League runners-up from last year and Napoli have battered them tonight.

Napoli 4-1 Liverpool

21:44 , Michael Jones

86 mins: Luis Diaz drifts across two or three Napoli defenders before laying the ball off to Arthur who takes a shot but has it blocked by Mario Rui.

It’s not happening for Liverpool. This is a night to forget.

Napoli 4-1 Liverpool

21:41 , Michael Jones

83 mins: Thiago shoves Anguissa off the ball in midfield and sends the ball out to Alexander-Arnold who fizzes a curling delivery into the box.

Jota flings himself at the pass but there’s too much pace on it and the ball flies past him into the hands of Meret.

Napoli 4-1 Liverpool

21:39 , Michael Jones

80 mins: Alex Meret claims to have hurt himself plucking the ball of the nose of Darwin Nunez. He’s absolutely fine and wants a couple of minutes taken out of the game despite Napoli’s three goal advantage.

10 minutes to play in Naples as the goalkeeper gets back to his feet.

Napoli 4-1 Liverpool

21:35 , Michael Jones

77 mins: Arthur is getting ready in the sidelines for Liverpool and looks set to make his first appearance for the club. Liverpool have finally found some control but they’re lacking a clinical touch in the final third.

Arthur does come on for the Reds with Harvey Elliott replaced.

Napoli 4-1 Liverpool

21:33 , Michael Jones

74 mins: Giovanni Simeone has scored on his Champions League debut, 25 years and 361 days after his father Diego Simeone also scored on his debut in the competition (two goals vs FCSB in 1996).

Liverpool continue to come forward with Nunez swinging a cross into the box. Jota is the closest man to it but he can’t reach the ball and it bobbles out of play.

Napoli 4-1 Liverpool

21:29 , Michael Jones

71 mins: Jurgen Klopp looks like a man searching for answers on the sidelines. His team look very vulnerable defensively.

Napoli substitute Hirving Lozano carries the ball into the box from the left before checking inside of Joel Matip and drilling a shot wide of the near post.

Napoli 4-1 Liverpool

21:27 , Michael Jones

68 mins: Amir Rrahmani is late with a challenge on Luis Diaz and brings the Liverpool forward down just outside the box over on the left side.

Alexander-Arnold curls the set piece over to the back post and sends it straight out of play. That’s a disappointing pass from the Liverpool right-back.

Napoli 4-1 Liverpool

21:23 , Michael Jones

65 mins: Here come Jurgen Klopp’s changes. The Liverpool boss makes three of them and brings on Thiago Alcantara, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota.

Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and James Milner are the men replaced.

Napoli 4-1 Liverpool

21:21 , Michael Jones

62 mins: Save! What a chance for Luis Diaz. Liverpool attack down the right but there’s no way into the box for Harvey Elliott. Instead he lays it back to Trent Alexander-Arnold who fizzes a cross into the middle and finds the leaping Diaz

He whips his head onto the ball and sends a powerful header at goal the Alex Meret palms over the crossbar!

Napoli 4-1 Liverpool

21:17 , Michael Jones

59 mins: Darwin Nunez is warming up on the sidelines for Liverpool. They’re going to need him to be on song if he gets on the pitch.

Alexander-Arnold sends the ball down the right side to try and get Salah up the pitch but Kim is across competently and guides the ball out of play.

Napoli 4-1 Liverpool

21:14 , Michael Jones

56 mins: Liverpool’s corner comes to nothing but the Reds are starting to push high up the pitch. Napoli are sitting back and keeping them out.

The Reds send the ball over to Luis Diaz on the left but he’s tracked down by Matteo Politano who wins his team a throw in deep in his own half.

Napoli 4-1 Liverpool

21:13 , Michael Jones

53 mins: Mo Salah hasn’t been on it all season, he’s in a terrible run of form and his touch is abandoning him.

He makes a smart run into the box from the right as the ball comes over the top, he tries to bring it down but knocks the ball away from his own body and luckily a Napoli defender boots it behind for a corner.

GOAL! Napoli 4-1 Liverpool (49’, Diaz)⚽️

21:10 , Michael Jones

49 mins: Liverpool get one back!

Luis Diaz sparks hopes of a Liverpool comeback with a swerving, curling effort from 20-yards out that nestles into the back of the net.

Is a magic European night on the cards for the Reds?

GOAL! Napoli 4-0 Liverpool (47’, Zielinski)⚽️

21:06 , Michael Jones

47 mins: Four! Napoli add to their tally within 90 seconds of the second half kicking off.

Liverpool win a corner that comes to Joel Matip who heads it straight at Alex Meret. Napoli restart quickly and work the ball over to the right before sending it into Piotr Zielinski.

He breezes past Virgil van Dijk and shoots forcing Alisson into a sharp save to his right. The ball spills loose though and Zielinski is back onto it, lifting it above the sprawled goalkeeper to score his second of the night.

Second half: Napoli 3-0 Liverpool

21:05 , Michael Jones

Kick off: Liverpool get the ball rolling for the start of the second half. Joel Matip is on for the Reds with Joe Gomez taken off after a torrid first half performance.

Matip must have a knock of some kind or else he would have started the game.

HT Napoli 3-0 Liverpool

20:57 , Michael Jones

Today has already seen one Champions League winning German manager fired from a big six Premier League club - Thomas Tuchel for those wondering - is Jurgen Klopp’s job on the line now?

It shouldn’t be given what he’s achieved with the Reds but that first 45 minutes has been woeful.

HT Napoli 3-0 Liverpool

20:54 , Michael Jones

Liverpool have conceded the first goal in five games in all competitions this season, the joint-most of any Premier League side along with Southampton.

They haven’t lost a Champions League away game in six matches but that run looks to be coming to an end.

HT Napoli 3-0 Liverpool

20:52 , Michael Jones

Napoli are unstoppable. They’ve torn Liverpool apart and secured the points in the first half at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium.

It’s a mountain to climb for the Reds and they don’t look likely to get back into this one.

Half-time: Napoli 3-0 Liverpool

20:48 , Michael Jones

45+1 mins: Liverpool have been blown away in Naples. They trail by three at the break and it could easily have been more. Alisson has saved a penalty and Van Dijk has cleared one off the line.

Jurgen Klopp must be fuming. Liverpool have been so easy to play through. Is there a way back for the Reds?

GOAL! Napoli 3-0 Liverpool (44’, Simeone)⚽️

20:44 , Michael Jones

44 mins: Giovanni Simeone score on his Champions League debut!

Napoli work the ball over to the left wing and send it up to Khvicha Kvaratskheila. He flicks the ball past Alexander-Arnold and sprints in behind the right-back.

Joe Gomez has to come across to cover but Kvaratskheila shoves him off away and squares the ball into the six-yard box where Simeone arrives and taps it home.

That may even be his first touch of the game.

Napoli 2-0 Liverpool

20:42 , Michael Jones

43 mins: Luis Diaz looks to twist and turn against Kim as he comes into the box from the left but the defender pokes the ball behind for a corner.

Robertson’s delivery is heading for Van Dijk but Napoli win it and run the ball out of danger.

Napoli 2-0 Liverpool

20:41 , Michael Jones

40 mins: Victor Osimhen is down for Napoli and has called for the physios to come on. It doesn’t look as though he’s going to continue.

Nope. Giovanni Simeone replaces him for Napoli.

Napoli 2-0 Liverpool

20:38 , Michael Jones

37 mins: Napoli have been brilliant so far. It’s easy to see why they’re unbeaten in Serie A this season. They’re playing with more energy, more freedom and more desire than Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp’s side seem disjointed once again - as they have done all year. Something is not quite working for them.

Napoli 2-0 Liverpool

20:36 , Michael Jones

34 mins: Chance! This is arguably Liverpool’s best chance of the half as James Milner swings a cross in from the left side of the pitch. Minjae Kim flicks it on to the back post where Harvey Elliott is wide open.

He doesn’t catch his volley right and the ball comes off his knee and lands wide of the near post!

GOAL! Napoli 2-0 Liverpool (31’, Anguissa)⚽️

20:32 , Michael Jones

31 mins: It’s 2-0 now! They make this look so easy. Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa receives the ball on the edge of the box after Jome Gomez loses possession deep in his own half.

Anguissa plays a give-and-go with Piotr Zielinski and receives the ball in behind the Liverpool defence. He’s got Alisson to beat and opens up the far side of goal before confidently slotting it past the Liverpool goalkeeper.

Napoli 1-0 Liverpool

20:31 , Michael Jones

30 mins: Chance! Trent Alexander-Arnold sends piercing pass into the box where Mo Salah has drifted into a central area. Salah stops the ball and shoots on the turn but fires his effort straight at Alex Meret who keeps it out.

Napoli 1-0 Liverpool

20:29 , Michael Jones

29 mins: Chance! How is it not 2-0?

Joe Gomez has his pocket picked by Victor Osimhen who drives into the box and draws Alisson out of position befre squaring it to Khvicha Kvaratskheila.

He turns the ball towards the open net with his frist touch but out of nowhere Virgil van Dijk arrives to boot it off the line!

Napoli 1-0 Liverpool

20:27 , Michael Jones

27 mins: Better from Liverpool who pile pressure on the Napoli defence and look like their old selves. Their press is strong and they’re whipping crosses into the penalty area.

The Reds win a corner but Alexander-Arnold’s delivery doesn’t beat the front man and it’s headed away.

Napoli 1-0 Liverpool

20:24 , Michael Jones

24 mins: Chance! Liverpool’s corner is headed away but the Red recycle it to Alexander-Arnold who flicks a perfect pass into the left side of the box to Mo Salah.

Salah only has the goalkeeper ahead of him but takes his eye off the ball and fails to bring it under control. The ball bobbles over his foot and bounces out of play.

Napoli 1-0 Liverpool

20:22 , Michael Jones

21 mins: Close! Liverpool win a free kick on the inside right channel that Alexander-Arnold whips over to the top right corner. It may just be sneaking under the bar but Meret tips it over just to make sure Napoli don’t concede an equaliser.

SAVED! Napoli 1-0 Liverpool

20:20 , Michael Jones

19 mins: Osimhen himself takes the penalty and stumbles up to the ball before softly hitting it to Alisson’s right. It’s a comfortable height for the Liverpool goalkeeper who leaps across and palms it back into play.

The ball bounces over to Giovanni Di Lorenzo who boots the rebound high over the goal!

Penalty to Napoli!

20:18 , Michael Jones

Napoli 1-0 Liverpool

16 mins: A counter-attack for the home side sees Victor Osimhen knock the ball past Virgil van Dijk and into the box. He recovers the ball and sends it across the defender who stands on his foot and brings both men down.

There’s another VAR check and the referee is called over to the monitor. He looks at the replays and points to the spot!

Napoli 1-0 Liverpool

20:16 , Michael Jones

15 mins: Andy Robertson swings a corner into the box for Liverpool and puts the cross into the six-yard box. Alex Meret comes out and unconvincingly flaps the ball away.

Liverpool are growing into the game, they’re getting the ball into the forward areas more often but that opens up the counter-attack for the home side.

Napoli 1-0 Liverpool

20:11 , Michael Jones

12 mins: A Liverpool free kick is knocked short to Harvey Elliott by Trent Alexander-Arnold and Elliott floats a lovely pass into the box to pick out Mo Salah.

Salah chests the ball under control then has his effort at goal blocked and cleared.

Napoli 1-0 Liverpool

20:10 , Michael Jones

8 mins: Liverpool need to get a grip on the game. The Reds struggle against Napoli and they’ve got off to the worse possible start here tonight.

Roberto Firmino looks to get past Anguissa but he loses the ball. The Napoli forward sprints into midfield and is hacked down by Milner who picks up a yellow card.

It’s not been the best night so far for the Liverpool captain.

GOAL! Napoli 1-0 Liverpool (5’, Zielinksi)⚽️

20:07 , Michael Jones

5 mins: Piotr Zielinski converts from the spot! Napoli take a very early lead. Liverpool are rocking.

Penalty to Napoli!

20:06 , Michael Jones

Napoli 0-0 Liverpool

4 mins: The referee has given Napoli a penalty. He’s saying Milner’s deflection was a handball and the replays show he’s correct. Shocking start from the visitors.

Napoli 0-0 Liverpool

20:05 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Meret attempts to slide Osimhen in behind with a direct forward pass but Virgil van Dijk intercepts this time and boots the ball away.

Napoli come again and dink the ball over to Andre-Frank Anguissa on the left side. He pulls the ball back to Matteo Politana who shoots and has his shot deflected wide by James Milner.

Kick off: Napoli 0-0 Liverpool

20:02 , Michael Jones

Napoli get the game going at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium. They knock the ball around at the back before goalkeeper Alex Meret flicks it into midfield.

The homse side recover the ball and work it over to Giovanni Di Lorenzo on the right wing. Victor Osimhen makes a cutting run through the Liverpool back line and brings the ball under control as it comes over the top.

Alisson flies out to close him down but the striker shifts it around the goalkeeper and rattles the post with his side-footed effort!

What a start.

Pre-match thoughts of Jurgen Klopp

19:54 , Michael Jones

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp spoke to BT Sport before kick off saying: “It could be, but just as important is that you play football here. It could become quite hectic, emotional, aggressive, these kinds of things but you have to take that and respond.

“It’s not an easy place to come because of the atmosphere people can create here. The only way you can bring that atmosphere slightly down is by playing well so that is what we will try.

“They have what you need. It is about defending really together, really compact and we have to go and be brave. Everyone has to be responsible. Offensively we can cause them problems so let’s give it a go.

“They are always strong. They have had a good start to the season and had a good season last year. The main thing is yes, the teams change, but the people here don’t change. They make sure you don’t forget you are here and we know that now.”

Jurgen Klopp hopes for fourth time lucky as Liverpool travel to Napoli

19:49 , Michael Jones

Jurgen Klopp hopes it will be fourth time lucky as the Liverpool manager looks to finally win at Napoli when last season’s Champions League finalists kick-off their quest for continental glory on Wednesday.

It is just over three months since the Reds suffered a gutting 1-0 defeat in the final to Real Madrid on a night marred by chaotic scenes outside the Stade de France.

Liverpool have been drawn alongside Ajax, Rangers and Napoli this time around and get Group A under way at the cavernous Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday evening against the latter.

But Klopp has not enjoyed the best of times on his previous visits to Naples, having lost 2-1 with Borussia Dortmund in 2013 before losing 1-0 with the Reds in 2018 and 2-0 the following year.

Jurgen Klopp hopes for fourth time lucky as Liverpool travel to Napoli

Good memories for Napoli

19:46 , Michael Jones

Liverpool have only lost one of their last 12 opening matches in a Champions League campaign - though that was at Napoli in 2019/20.

The Reds also lost here the season before and are yet to win in Naples under Jurgen Klopp.

FT Ajax 4-0 Rangers

19:43 , Michael Jones

Against Rangers Mohamed Kudus was only the seventh player in the last 15 years to both score a goal, assist a goal and not misplace a single pass in a Champions League match.

He became the first to do it since Serge Gnabry in 2020 vs Barcelona.

Milner starts for Liverpool

19:40 , Michael Jones

James Milner captains the Reds this evening having made his 600th Premier League appearance against Everton at the weekend.

Speaking to the club’s website after the game, the 36-year-old said: “I feel good and you’re a long time retired, so I want to keep playing for as long as I can.

“Let’s face it, there are worse places to be playing football than for Liverpool Football Club. It’s great to be here, I enjoy the pressure and I enjoy the drive.”

Napoli vs Liverpool

19:37 , Michael Jones

Rangers have suffered back-to-back 4-0 defeats in their last two matches and their Champions League campaign is off to the worst start possible.

Reaction from Rangers’ defeat still to come but the focus moves to Italy as Liverpool prepare to take on Napoli in their opening European fixture.

Full-time: Ajax 4-0 Rangers

19:35 , Michael Jones

90+3 mins: It’s been a shocking and hurtful return to the Champions League for Rangers. They’ve been played off the park by Ajax with the Dutch champions putting them to the sword on an incredibly one-sided night in Amsterdam.

The Scottish side need to regroup and refocus ahead of their next group match against Napoli. The games comes thick and fast this year and another defeat there will surely put their hopes of a spot in the knockouts out of reach.

Ajax 4-0 Rangers

19:32 , Michael Jones

90 mins: Three minutes of added time to play in Amsterdam. Rangers just want to get off the pitch now.

Ajax 4-0 Rangers

19:28 , Michael Jones

86 mins: Steven Bergwijn injured himself during his goal, he seemed to stretch too far taking the ball around the goalkeeper and pulled his celebration up short clutching his leg.

The forward is taken off with Lucas Ocampos brought on the take his place.

He is fed into the box by Taylor and drives a shot straight into the hands of McLaughlin.

Ajax 4-0 Rangers

19:26 , Michael Jones

83 mins: Rangers have conceded eight goals in two games now. Giovanni van Bronckhorst has some defensive issues to solve before their next Champions League fixture against Napoli.

If he doesn’t solve it then Rangers are staring down five very tricky fixtures.

GOAL! Ajax 4-0 Rangers (80’, Bergwijn)⚽️

19:21 , Michael Jones

80 mins: There’s his goal! It’s a shocker from Ryan Jack who misplaces a pass back to his defensive line and gives it to Steven Bergwijn who is hovering in space.

Bergwijn taps it around McLaughlin who sprints off his line then guides the ball into the open net.

Ajax 3-0 Rangers

19:20 , Michael Jones

76 mins: The disallowed goal has just made Ajax slightly more wary. They’re not giving Rangers any chance of taking the ball off them until they’re deep in the final third.

NO GOAL! Ajax 3-0 Rangers

19:15 , Michael Jones

72 mins:The goal is chalked off! VAR took a look at the goal and saw that Ryan Kent was slightly offside as John Lundstram’s long ball came over the top.

Rangers’ bad night continues.

GOAL! Ajax 3-1 Rangers (71’, Barisic)⚽️

19:14 , Michael Jones

71 mins: Glorious finish! Rangers fizz a long diagonal ball over to Ryan Kent on the left wing and he carries the ball into the left side of the penalty area.

Two Ajax defenders close him down but he prods the ball to Borna Barisic who takes a touch and curls a lovely right-footed effort into the far top corner.

Ajax 3-0 Rangers

19:11 , Michael Jones

69 mins: Steven Bergwijn receives the ball on the left side of the pitch and brings it inside before lacing a shot straight into the arms of Jon McLaughlin.

The former Tottenham man is hungry for a goal tonight.

Ajax 3-0 Rangers

19:09 , Michael Jones

66 mins: Ryan Jack collects the first yellow card of the game after he slides in late and takes the legs out from under Ajax skipper Dusan Tadic.

At the other end of the pitch Rabbi Matondo swings a cross into the middle and Ryan Kent has a chance to poke one at goal. He’s under pressure from Jurrien Timber but manages to get a touch on the ball.

Saldy for Rangers the effort goes wide.

Ajax 3-0 Rangers

19:07 , Michael Jones

63 mins: Ajax are up over 76% possession. It’s been a very one-sided game and now the home players are putting on a bit of a show for their fans.

Close! Mohammed Kudus shimmies and dribbles his way through the Rangers defence. McLaughlin closes him down and blocks the shot from close range before Leon King boots the ball away.

Ajax 3-0 Rangers

19:03 , Michael Jones

60 mins: Ajax win a corner that Tadic slides into Kenneth Taylor. He swings a cross into the middle of the box but Rangers head it clear.

John Lundstram has dropped back as a third centre-half and Leon King has taken over from James Tavernier wide on the right of the Rangers defence.

Ajax 3-0 Rangers

19:01 , Michael Jones

57 mins: Steven Bergwijn bombs down the left wing and brings the ball inside before laying it off to Kudus. Ajax look as though they want to flood the box but Kudus sends the ball back and they retreat.

Ajax 3-0 Rangers

18:58 , Michael Jones

54 mins: Borna Barisic swings another Rangers free kick into the penalty area and finds James Sands who seems determined to make up for his earlier deflection.

His header loops towards goal and drops safely into the hands of Remko Pasveer. The whistle then goes for a foul in the build up and Ajax have a free kick of their own.

Ajax 3-0 Rangers

18:56 , Michael Jones

51 mins: Rangers are already seeing more of the ball but Ajax’s tempo has slowed way down. They’re content to kept hold of the ball and knock it around into space.

Ajax 3-0 Rangers

18:51 , Michael Jones

48 mins: Rabbi Matondo gets stuck in straight away and wins a free kick over on the right side of the pitch, inside Ajax’s half. Borna Barisic floats the set piece into the middle and finds James Sands who’s difficult headed effort glances wide of goal.

Second half: Ajax 3-0 Rangers

18:50 , Michael Jones

Kick off: The home side get the match back underway. Giovanni van Bronckhorst has made three changes at half-time. James Tavernier, Scott Wright and Malik Tillman are all hooked with Ryan Jack, Rabbi Matondo and Leon King all brought on.

Napoli vs Liverpool line-ups

18:46 , Michael Jones

Napoli XI: Meret, Di Lorenzo, Kim, Rrahmani, Olivera, Politano, Lobotka, Zambo Anguissa, Kvaratshhelia, Zielinski, Osimhen

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Milner, Fabinho, Elliott, Salah, Firmino, Diaz

HT Ajax 3-0 Rangers

18:41 , Michael Jones

One way traffic in Amsterdam as Ajax have romped into a three goal lead against Rangers. Will they add to their tally in the second half?

Liverpool begin ‘proper, proper challenge’ on European trip with unhappy memories

18:35 , Michael Jones

“Where’s it next season? Istanbul? Book the hotel.” Jurgen Klopp’s response to defeat in May’s Champions League final may have done wonders for Turkey’s tourism industry but it also showed much about his psychology. Klopp tends to turn a negative into a positive. In the process, he can feel prophetic.

The morning after his previous Champions League final loss to Real Madrid, in 2018, he wondered at Kyiv airport if Liverpool would return to such a stage 12 months later. They duly did, winning in 2019. Liverpool can now hope history repeats itself again, that a brush with glory one year will be followed by an embrace the next.

Klopp can excel at engendering optimism but there were few reasons for happiness on an awful night in Paris. Certainly not for the supporters who were mistreated by French police, whose failings were compounded by Uefa’s, and for whom Wednesday’s trip to Naples, with its own reputation for intimidation, scarcely represented an ideal return to Europe.

On the field, Liverpool could have other reasons for regret: in 2018, they plotted a highly entertaining path around Europe, scoring goals galore but, as they finished 25 points behind Manchester City, they were not the continent’s outstanding team. They entered the final as underdogs.

Liverpool begin ‘proper, proper challenge’ on European trip with unhappy memories

Half-time: Ajax 3-0 Rangers

18:31 , Michael Jones

That’s been a bruising first 45 minutes for Rangers on their return to the Champions League. They offered very little resistance to a rampant Ajax side who took several chances and could have had more.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst needs to changes things for the second half. Personnel, formation, whatever but Rangers need to start getting time on the ball or this will turn into a drubbing.

Ajax 3-0 Rangers

18:29 , Michael Jones

43 mins: Save! Taylor drives into the box from the left and pokes the ball to Bergwijn. He’s tackled but the ball comes loose to Tadic who fizzes a first time shot at goal and forces another two-handed stop out of Jon McLaughlin.

Ajax 3-0 Rangers

18:26 , Michael Jones

40 mins: Save! Kenneth Taylor has a shy from range and forces Jon McLaughlin into a diving stop to his left.

He palms the ball away only as far as Dusan Tadic who flicks the ball over to the back post but Steven Bergwijn can’t get around James Tavernier and somehow Rangers work it away.

Ajax 3-0 Rangers

18:24 , Michael Jones

37 mins: Rangers have been rocked in Amsterdam already. Ajax look several classes above them in quality and confidence this evening.

The visitors put together a half-hearted attack down the right side but Bassey is quickly over to the ball and manages to guide it out for a goal kick.

GOAL! Ajax 3-0 Rangers (34’, Kudus)⚽️

18:20 , Michael Jones

33 mins: It’s three! What a strike this one is. Calvin Bassey – the former Rangers man – slides a pass up to Mohammed Kudus who is closed down by James Tavernier.

Kudus holds the ball away from Tavernier before turning around the defender and driving into the left side of the box.

It looks as though Conner Goldson is coming across to cover but Kudus blasts an effort to the far side of the goal where the ball hits the inside of the post and rebounds over the line!

GOAL! Ajax 2-0 Rangers (32’, Berghuis)⚽️

18:17 , Michael Jones

32 mins: Ajax double their lead!

This is unfortunate for Rangers. Mohammed Kudus messes around with the ball just outside the Rangers box but scuffs it over to Steven Berghius.

He knocks the ball into the box then side-foots an effort at goal. The shot hits James Sands and deflects past Jon McLaughlin to finish in the back of the net.

Ajax 1-0 Rangers

18:16 , Michael Jones

31 mins: Tillman is muscled off the ball and Ajax sweep up the pitch once more. Bergwijn slots it across to Tadic who holds onto the ball too long before deciding to shoot.

When he finally takes the shot, Barisic is able to charge him down and get the block in.

Ajax 1-0 Rangers

18:14 , Michael Jones

29 mins: Scott Wright and John Lundstram are getting played out of the game, Ajax are moving it past them with real ease.

Rensch makes another late run into the box and plays a great one-two to take him to the edge of the six-yard area. He just has McLaughlin to beat with the Rangers defenders left scrambling but he guides his effort wide of the far post.

Ajax 1-0 Rangers

18:11 , Michael Jones

26 mins: Ajax are all over Rangers.

Bergwijn, Kudus, and Tadic are all operating with freedom inside and around the Rangers box. The home side seem quicker, sharper and more confident on the ball.

It could be a long night for Rangers.

Ajax 1-0 Rangers

18:09 , Michael Jones

23 mins: Close! Daley Blind provides a wide option with a fine run down the left wing. He squares the ball into the middle of the box and finds Bergwijn who shifts it over to Tadic.

Tadic returns the ball with a pass into the six-yard box but Bergwijn is shoved off line by Goldson and McLaughlin can scoop up the loose ball.

Ajax 1-0 Rangers

18:07 , Michael Jones

20 mins: Rangers have work to do now. They need to get back to the early pressure they were putting on the ball. It’s tricky though as Ajax are confidently and slickly passing it around the pitch.

Kudus weaves his way to the front of the box before slipping the ball ot Tadic. He waits for Devyne Rensch’s run in behind and gives him the ball. The Ajax defender drills a shot at goal but McLaughlin turns it wide at the near post!

GOAL! Ajax 1-0 Rangers (17’, Alvarez)⚽️

18:02 , Michael Jones

17 mins: Ajax take the lead! The home side were starting to take control of the game and now they’ve taken the lead.

Ajax win a corner that gets delivered beautifully into the middle of the box. Edson Alvarez makes a short but decisive diagonal run into the box from the left side and leaps towards the ball.

He meets it perfectly and guides the header into the bottom left corner. No chance for Jon McLaughlin to stop it.

Ajax 0-0 Rangers

18:01 , Michael Jones

15 mins: Tadic dribbles into the box from the right side and goes around Borna Barisic on his way into the penalty area. He manages to pull the ball back to the edge of the box where Edson Alvarez is free.

Alvarez thinks about shooting but Rangers close him down quickly and work the ball clear. Ajax are starting to take control of this match.

Ajax 0-0 Rangers

17:59 , Michael Jones

12 mins: Shot! Steven Bergwijn is causing a few problems on the left hand side. He receives a pass and drives down the wing before cutting inside.

The Rangers defenders drop off him opening up half a yard of space that Bergwijn comes in to before hooking a shot wide of the near post.

Ajax 0-0 Rangers

17:57 , Michael Jones

9 mins: Close! Ajax win a corner that Steven Bergwijn rolls short to Dusan Tadic. Tadic swings a first time cross into the box and perfectly finds Jurrien Timber whose headed effort flies over the crossbar.

Ajax 0-0 Rangers

17:52 , Michael Jones

6 mins: A long ball up the pitch from Jon McLaughlin is targetted at Connor Goldson but the Rangers’ man is taken out by the stray arm of Mohammed Kudus and the visitors win a free kick.

This has been a decent start from Rangers. They don’t look overawed by the occasion or the opponents and are getting stuck into the game.

Ajax 0-0 Rangers

17:49 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Connor Goldson fires the ball over to Ryan Kent who nods it up the pitch to Malik Tillman who’s made his way into the box. He holds the ball up well enough but cant create sace for a shot and Rangers are forced to retreat as Ajax’s defenders sworn the forward.

Kick off: Ajax 0-0 Rangers

17:47 , Michael Jones

Rangers kick off their first Champions League match in 12 years. This is a huge night for the Scottish side and if they can get a result against Ajax it will put them in a strong position to attack the rest of the group.

Ajax vs Rangers

17:43 , Michael Jones

Rangers are back in the Champions League.

Schreuder on Rangers

17:40 , Michael Jones

Ajax head coach Alfred Schreuder spoke about Rangers saying: "It is a new challenge for us. We have been analysing their games - they press high and try to play. You can see the hand of their coach on how they play.

"They are a very competitive team, they will try and press us in the beginning. We know Gio very well. You look at his style of coaching and I don’t think we have many big surprises coming. We are very well prepared."

Rangers’ star man

17:35 , Michael Jones

Excluding qualifiers, Rangers’ James Tavernier has scored seven goals in his last nine appearances in major European competition.

He was the Ibrox club’s top scorer in their Europa League campaign last season.

"As a squad, win, draw, lose, we all look back on how we can improve. This was the same.” he said after defeat to Celtic at the weekend.

"We openly speak, and the staff and the boss put the points across. It’s something we always go through no matter what the scoreline and we know it’s something we need to put right."

Van Bronckhorst’s Champions League record

17:30 , Michael Jones

During his spell as Feyenoord manager, Giovanni van Bronckhorst won just two of his 10 meetings with Ajax in all competitions - two draws, six defeats - losing all four of his visits to the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Van Bronckhorst lost five of his six games Champions League games with Feyenoord in 2017/18, the exception being a 2-1 win against Napoli.

Kvaratskhelia a ‘huge threat'

17:26 , Michael Jones

Former Napoli and Liverpool boss Rafa Benítez has identified 21-year-old Georgian forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as a "huge threat" to the Reds’ hopes of making a winning start to their Group A campaign.

Writing in his column for The Times, Benítez says he has been told by friends in Italy that the youngster is currently the "best player" in Serie A.

The forward has four goals and one assist in five Serie A appearances this season.

Alisson on Arthur

17:20 , Michael Jones

Arthur Melo may make his Champions League debut for Liverpool tonight and all the talk coming from the Reds’ camp is that he is set to play a role against Napoli this evening.

Alisson Becker, Liverpool’s number one goalkeeper, spoke about having Arthur in the squad saying: “He is a good friend of mine. I played with him for the national team: we won the Copa América back in 2019.

“He brings even more quality to our team and he likes to play the way we play. I’m sure with the team helping him he will adapt really quickly.”

Celtic and Rangers set to provide sorely needed emotional centre to Champions League group stage

17:14 , Michael Jones

Over the last few days, Ange Postecoglou has been drilling his players in a typically expansive gameplan, but it has all come with a new electricity. Tuesday night won’t just be a case of Celtic playing their normal game and refusing to change for anybody. It will instead be a night when the unique atmosphere fits with the usual approach, amplifying it, and they will just go with the mood of adventure.

You only have to walk around Glasgow this week to get a sense of what the Champions League is supposed to be about. The city that staged one of the old European Cup’s first truly mythical finals, when Real Madrid beat Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3 at Hampden Park in 1960, now awaits the return of the 14-time champions with a rare excitement. Across the city, the Rangers players have been playing the Champions League theme on their phones as they head to Ajax, but that’s really all in anticipation of it booming around Ibrox for the visit of Napoli next Tuesday.

This is what the competition is supposed to feel like. One of the Champions League’s first cities, rather appropriately, is this group stage’s emotional centre.

Celtic and Rangers set to provide emotional centre to Champions League group stage

Rangers’ Champions League record

17:08 , Michael Jones

Rangers have won just 19% of their Champions League games (12/62) which is the second lowest win rate of any side to have played at least 50 games - Anderlecht are bottom at just 17%.

This is their first appearance since the 2010/11 campaign.

They have progressed past the group stage in just one of their 10 previous attempts (2005/06). However, they’re unbeaten in their first group game in each of their last six campaigns with four wins and two draws.

Ajax vs Rangers

17:01 , Michael Jones

Rangers have won their last two games in the Netherlands, including a 1-0 win at PSV to qualify for the group stage.

They had won just two of their previous nine before that with two draws and five defeats.

Ajax won all six of Champions League group stage matches last term, having been knocked out at this stage in the two campaigns prior to that.

They netted 20 goals in their group games last season, their most ever.

Jurgen Klopp hopes for fourth time lucky as Liverpool travel to Napoli

16:55 , Michael Jones

Jurgen Klopp hopes it will be fourth time lucky as the Liverpool manager looks to finally win at Napoli when last season’s Champions League finalists kick-off their quest for continental glory on Wednesday.

It is just over three months since the Reds suffered a gutting 1-0 defeat in the final to Real Madrid on a night marred by chaotic scenes outside the Stade de France.

Liverpool have been drawn alongside Ajax, Rangers and Napoli this time around and get Group A under way at the cavernous Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday evening against the latter.

But Klopp has not enjoyed the best of times on his previous visits to Naples, having lost 2-1 with Borussia Dortmund in 2013 before losing 1-0 with the Reds in 2018 and 2-0 the following year.

Jurgen Klopp hopes for fourth time lucky as Liverpool travel to Napoli

Napoli vs Liverpool

16:48 , Michael Jones

Liverpool won all six away games in the Champions League last season. A seventh consecutive victory on the road in Naples would set a new club record in European competition.

Ajax vs Rangers

16:42 , Michael Jones

Ajax have won all four of their previous meetings with Rangers, winning both legs of the European Super Cup in January 1973, and both group stage meetings in the 1996/97 Champions League.

Rangers’ four defeats from four against Ajax is their worst 100% losing record in all European competition. Besiktas (6/6) are the only team that Ajax have a better 100% winning record against.

Ajax vs Rangers line-ups

16:32 , Michael Jones

Ajax XI: Pasveer, Rensch, J Timber, Bassey, Blind, Taylor, Alvarez, Berghuis, Tadic, Kudus, Bergwijn

Rangers XI: McLaughlin, Tavernier, Goldson, Sands, Barisic, Wright, Lundstram, Tillman, Kamara, Kent, Colak

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