Liverpool will be looking to get their campaign off to a positive start against Napoli as the two teams meet in a 2022-23 Champions League Group A clash in Naples on Wednesday, but the Partenopei will be keen to extend their eight-game unbeaten home run in the competition.
However, the Reds have their own golden streak of nine successive away wins in the European top flight, before the 1-0 loss to Real Madrid in the final, and Jurgen Klopp will want his troops to start afresh from the goalless draw in the Merseyside derby against Everton last Saturday.
Napoli, who defeated Lazio 2-1 in their last outing in Serie A, have faced a last-32 exit from their last two Europa League appearances but Luciano Spalletti will want to see out a fourth home clean sheet against Liverpool.
How To Watch
Match: Napoli vs Liverpool
Date & Time: September 7 @ 8:00 PM (BST) / 3:00 PM (ET)
Venue: Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples
TV Channel: BT Sport 2, CBS Sports, Sony Sports Network
Online Streaming: BT Sport App, fuboTV & Sony Liv (Try for free)
Watch in Canada: DAZN Canada
Team News
Napoli: Napoli forward Hirving Lozano was involved in a clash of heads in the first half of the Lazio win. Although scans did not indicate any serious injury, the Mexican should be kept out of the tie as per protocol.
That would allow for Matteo Politano to come in alongside Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen in the forward trident.
Other than Lozano, Diego Demme is yet to fully recover from a broken foot.
Liverpool: Already without Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jordan Henderson, Klopp was dealt with another midfield blow as Fabio Carvalho had to be taken off with a dead leg in the Everton draw.
However, Thiago Alcantara returning to training comes as a boost ahead of the clash. Understandably not willing to risk the Spaniard, though, Klopp has the option to hand Juventus loanee Arthur his debut at Napoli.
At the back, Calvin Ramsay, Caoimhin Kelleher and Ibrahima Konate are injured, while Andy Robertson may be called back into the starting XI.
Prediction: The hosts have the best-attacking record in Serie A, finding the back of the net 12 times in five games while the Reds have scored 15 goals in their six Premier League games.
Liverpool have picked up just one point in their last three trips to Naples in competitive fixtures and, given the recent form of the two sides, a win for the Reds seems unlikely. The game should end in a high-scoring draw.
Score Prediction: Napoli 2 - 2 Liverpool