Napoli need a point at Anfield to secure qualification for the Champions League knockout stage and their coach is confident in his side's chances
Carlo Ancelotti cheekily claimed that Napoli's trip to Atalanta in Serie A would be "more difficult" than their crunch Champions League clash with Liverpool.
Napoli beat Red Star Belgrade 3-1 at the Stadio San Paolo on Wednesday to go top of Group C ahead of a final showdown with the Reds at Anfield, while second-placed Paris Saint-Germain take on the Serbian outfit.
Avoiding defeat against Jurgen Klopp's side – who are unbeaten in the Premier League – would see them through, but the Italian club could still be shunted into the Europa League qualification spot.
Ancelotti, though, is confident his men will get the job done and has more pressing concerns over the next match in the Italian top flight against mid-table Atalanta.
"We must go there with courage and play," said Ancelotti regarding the trip to Merseyside. "Now let's think about Bergamo, which is more difficult than Liverpool."
Marek Hamsik's first goal of the season turned the game against Red Star in Napoli's favour after just 11 minutes, and a brace from Dries Mertens put them 3-0 up inside 52 minutes.
The visitors rallied in the second half, scoring through El Fardou Ben, but Ancelotti was unconcerned by the way his side's superb first-half performance trailed off somewhat in the final half an hour.
"I'm satisfied," he said. "We played with great intensity for 60 minutes, then there was a physiological decline, which was inevitable.
"The goal [for Red Star] could have been avoided immediately. But we cannot be doing maths when we go to play Liverpool.
"We have shown our qualities, we have an advantage that makes us proud. We are leading the most difficult group of the Champions League."
PSG's win over Liverpool on Wednesday left just three points between Group C leaders Napoli and the Reds and set up an intriguing final matchday that could potentially see all three sides on nine points at the end of the group stage, which would leave a set of tie-breakers to determine which two side made it through to the round of 16.
lisabcdeor
1
Did I hear u saying Liverpool is unbeating at Anfield?Liverpool was beaten by cheseal at Anfield this season. ....
premeir league is unbeaten not carling cup
Odiboh
0
Did I hear u saying Liverpool is unbeating at Anfield?Liverpool was beaten by cheseal at Anfield this season. ....
premier league unbeaten at home not league cup
heroz
1
I still have hope 100 percent in Liverpool they will win totally we will never walk alone the Reds all the way
you guys always say that but then get disappointed
sikinoz
1
Did I hear u saying Liverpool is unbeating at Anfield?Liverpool was beaten by cheseal at Anfield this season. ....
Luedipt
2
u are going to lose at liverpool u are getting a head of ur self
Hazazi_92
1
Ancelotti under estimated the reds and he is going to regret it, Liverpool are unbeatable in anfield Ancelotti should have know that.
Sosdeiops
2
Ancelloti will swallow his words at Anfield... let him just wait!
Waubinpsty
1
defeating Liverpool at Anfield in a match of survival like that one is possible but not very possible.
Does_it_matter
0
This is just a joke of a week from AF. Defeating Liverpool at Anfield is like having two solar eclipse at two consecutive month
Pre season you are comparing a must win game with a preseason match? Your optimism baffles me.
Does_it_matter
0
Remember Istanbul? You have no right to talk about this club.
I assume they were on leave last night
Touacers
6
Liverpool will win 4-1 to Napoli and Red star win over PSG
LFCMontage
0
middlefielders
too many of them for that matter😂
JitBatman
0
Nebil Fekir will score in that match and Klopp will see how player rejection gives you pain...
sorry, my mistake.... But, no hope for Reds...
EunhoSr
0
so is winning 4-3 and psg loosing to red star. wake-up and smell the coffee. these guys need a draw, they have shown that they can win, oh and a 3-2 win will not be enough. Do not fool yourself into thinking they will not score coz they will.
The match will be played at Anfield . No wonder Liverpool will win the match without conceding a goal and if they will concede then the result will be 3-1 or 4-1. I'm saying this because we have already defeated them 5-0 in the preseason. So it is possible to win against them without conceding.
Nuteiryz
3
see a doctor
Does_it_matter
1
Remember Istanbul? You have no right to talk about this club.
middlefielders
Does_it_matter
0
Remember Istanbul? You have no right to talk about this club.
when you had middle fields?
Does_it_matter
1
This is just a joke of a week from AF. Defeating Liverpool at Anfield is like having two solar eclipse at two consecutive month
so is winning 4-3 and psg loosing to red star. wake-up and smell the coffee. these guys need a draw, they have shown that they can win, oh and a 3-2 win will not be enough. Do not fool yourself into thinking they will not score coz they will.
Suoekmnry
6
I still believe that Liverpool will qualify from the group
Tueaelnsz
0
eish seriously look who's speaking
mamacnortz
0
i hope Liverpool all the best
where are midfielders in your team ????
EunhoSr
4
This is just a joke of a week from AF. Defeating Liverpool at Anfield is like having two solar eclipse at two consecutive month
Donkor3310
1
Liverpool is worst club than Arsenal.
lutalotyz
0
I say hi specially mane and James miler who hv played really well keep it up
MiaSanBayern
1
Nebil Fekir will score in that match and Klopp will see how player rejection gives you pain...
Lmao this guy is drunk
Ceniklry
0
If Liverpool and Napoli win, then PSG and red star are out. We'll both have 9 points with red star and PSG on 4 and 5. Impossible to get 4 points with one match my dude.
He said if, he did not say Liverpool won
radcdlno
0
If Liverpool and Napoli win, then PSG and red star are out. We'll both have 9 points with red star and PSG on 4 and 5. Impossible to get 4 points with one match my dude.
R.I.P logic ...Liverpool meeting Napoli then both win
Ceniklry
0
Nebil Fekir will score in that match and Klopp will see how player rejection gives you pain...
Ibra, drogba and Henry will score too? Lmao fe my arse kir is in Lyon
Vihabcikoy
0
People here compare Sarri's team and Ancelotti's. I think Ancelotti deserves more credit here. This was in no way an easy one and looks like they will go through.
Only one of Liverpool and Napoli can son as they face each other
Fatokid
0
If Liverpool and Napoli win, then PSG and red star are out. We'll both have 9 points with red star and PSG on 4 and 5. Impossible to get 4 points with one match my dude.
Man I’m also confused... Napoli vs Liverpool Win ==== win lol
lutalotyz
0
w shall manage to win
Fatokid
0
Nebil Fekir will score in that match and Klopp will see how player rejection gives you pain...
Dood wat r u sayin?? Fekir plays for Lyon
lutalotyz
0
i hope Liverpool all the best
Damianho12
0
how can Liverpool and Napoli win against each other
I think he meant b4 the match
LFCMontage
1
Remember Istanbul? You have no right to talk about this club.
JitBatman
1
Nebil Fekir will score in that match and Klopp will see how player rejection gives you pain...
weweilns
1
I still have hope 100 percent in Liverpool they will win totally we will never walk alone the Reds all the way
Peter0022
1
wall don ancellotti I no u are a good manager, but I want to give my prediction u will met Bayern vs Napoli.
hinadeuy
0
People here compare Sarri's team and Ancelotti's. I think Ancelotti deserves more credit here. This was in no way an easy one and looks like they will go through.
they both deserve equal credits sarri made a top team ancelotti made them more competitive
austin3451
0
If Liverpool and Napoli win, then PSG and red star are out. We'll both have 9 points with red star and PSG on 4 and 5. Impossible to get 4 points with one match my dude.
how can Liverpool and Napoli win against each other
Rockmans
0
Lol psg the underdog story of the champions league Thought we learned never to say never in football. Or does that only apply to Liverpool and winning the league?
ballstarsee
0
Plot twist : Both PSG and Liverpool will go out.
iKingstonkiss
0
They can even clinch tomorrow with a win against Red Star at home and as long as Liverpool get a result against PSG
billiong
0
If Liverpool and Napoli win, then PSG and red star are out. We'll both have 9 points with red star and PSG on 4 and 5. Impossible to get 4 points with one match my dude.
Kalandari
2
People here compare Sarri's team and Ancelotti's. I think Ancelotti deserves more credit here. This was in no way an easy one and looks like they will go through.
passioncc
0
i see you’ve never seen how hard liverpool can throw a lead before, you just wait!
Kimjoyes
0
PSG fail. This will be worse finishing than before they bought Neymar. Maybe he's a little overrated on his actual impact on a team. i.e Brazil.
Buffet
0
Ancelotti is Red confirmed
Shrivastava
0
What kind of translation is this?! Obviously the title should be: Ancelotti: "If we do not pass, we are balls" According to google translate.
verbiage
1
People here compare Sarri's team and Ancelotti's. I think Ancelotti deserves more credit here. This was in no way an easy one and looks like they will go through.