The stats that suggest Liverpool need to overcome Italian roadblock at Napoli

October 3, 2018
Jack Lusby

Liverpool take on Napoli in their first Champions League away clash of the season on Wednesday night. Here are the key stats and facts ahead of kickoff.

Viva l’Italia

Liverpool last met Italian opposition in last season’s Champions League semi-final beating Roma 7-6 on aggregate.

In all games the Reds have won 12, drawn three and lost 11 of the 26 clashes with teams from Italy.

Liverpool have won three of 11 games in Italy as the away team defeating Roma (2-0) in 2001, Inter Milan (1-0) in 2008 and Udinese also by a single goal, four years later.

They have lost two of their last eight in Italy—at Fiorentina in 2009 and against Roma five months ago.

In those eight visits the Reds have kept six clean sheets.

Jurgen Klopp has faced Italian clubs in four ties (eight games) during his managerial career. In those eight games his teams have won three and lost five.

Napoli vs. England

Napoli have met English clubs on seven occasions as well as Swansea City, who they faced in the Europa League in 2013/14.

In those eight games they have won five and drawn twice with their sole defeat coming at the hands of Man City in last season’s group phase. City winning 4-2.

They have yet to record a victory in England.

Ancelotti’s Wildly Contrasting Record

Carlo Ancelotti has faced Liverpool as a coach eight times in his career, winning five and losing three.

He was in charge of AC Milan in the Champions League finals of 2005 and 2007.

He was the second manager after Bob Paisley to win the European Cup three times.

Ancelotti will be facing Liverpool tonight with his fourth different club, Chelsea and Real Madrid being the others.

Experience in Naples

Mohamed Salah scored at Napoli for Roma in Serie A in October 2016. His side won 3-1.

Alisson played for Roma in a 4-2 win on this ground last season. In the opposing goal was Pepe Reina.

James Milner played against Napoli for Man City in the San Paolo in the group stage of this competition in 2011/12 with the Italians winning 2-1.

Naby Keita was in the RB Leipzig team that eliminated Napoli from the Europa League last season in the knockout phase. In goal for the Germans was former Liverpool reserve Peter Gulacsi.

Napoli beat Chelsea 3-1 at home only to lost 4-1 at Stamford Bridge in 2011/12 with Daniel Sturridge starting both games for the Londoners.

Salah and Gomez’s Half-Century

Salah is one goal short of recording 50 for English clubs during his career—with his first two coming for Chelsea.

Joe Gomez could play the 50th game of his Reds career. This will be his 10th game in Europe. He is yet to taste defeat in continental competition.

Firmino in Europe

Roberto Firmino has played in every one of Liverpool’s 29 European games under Klopp.

The Brazilian, who scored the winner against PSG last month, holds the club record for most goals in a European group stage. He scored six last season in six appearances.

He celebrated his 27th birthday the day before this game (sharing a birthday with Alisson).

Firmino has 12 goals for Liverpool in the European Cup. Only Steven Gerrard (30) and Ian Rush (14) have scored more. Dirk Kuyt and Terry McDermott also have 12.