Fabian Ruiz: Napoli could've knocked Liverpool out of this season's UCL

Fabian Ruiz was part of the Napoli side that lost at Anfield on the final match-day of this season's Champions League group stages.

After defeats in Naples, Paris and Belgrade, Liverpool had to beat Ruiz and Napoli at home to progress to the knockout stages, and now they will play Tottenham in the final on Saturday.

"The truth is that we could've progressed and eliminated Liverpool, but they got through on goal difference in the end," Ruiz told Radio MARCA.

"[Jurgen] Klopp has gone a very good job, they never gave up. That's why I think Liverpool will not let the final escape them this year."

Ruiz has enjoyed an impressive season in Serie A and was called up to the Spanish national team for their Euro 2020 qualifiers against Norway and Malta in March. The midfielder is part of Spain's squad for the Under-21 European Championships in Italy this summer.

"I have to thank Luis Enrique and Luis de la Fuente so much, and I want to show both of them that I deserve to be called up," Ruiz said.

"I now have an amazing month ahead of me with the U21s, and I really want to enjoy it."

Both Marco Asensio and Rodri were eligible to be in De la Fuente's U21 squad this summer but were included in Luis Enrique's senior selection instead.

"It would've been important for us if they were [in the U21s] because we know that they're both great players that can support us a lot, but they've decided not to come," Ruiz said. "It's their problem and we can't do anything about it."

Ruiz only joined Napoli last year but is already being tipped for a move to a bigger club.

"I have four years left on my contract, I'm very happy here and right now I'm only thinking about next year and doing even better," he said. "My mind is on Napoli."