Firmino hits a major milestone & Reds look to extend a 17-year run in Europe

September 17, 2019
This Is Anfield

Liverpool begin the defence of their Champions League trophy with an away group stage game at Napoli; here are the best stats ahead of kick-off.

Recent rivals

The teams met in last season’s group stage with both games resulting in a 1-0 win for the home side.

They met in Matchday 2 in Naples with Lorenzo Insigne sealing victory in the last minute.

The return at Anfield in the final game saw Mo Salah settle the game in the 34th minute, yet it took a last-minute save from Arkadiusz Milik by Alisson to prevent the Reds from being eliminated.

Liverpool qualified from the group despite losing all three away fixtures.

They also met in the 2010/11 Europa League group stage, with the teams drawing 0-0 in Italy before Liverpool won 3-1 at Anfield, with Steven Gerrard scoring a 15-minute hat-trick.

Reds vs. Serie A

In all games the Reds have won 13, drawn three and lost 12 of the 28 clashes with teams from Italy.

Liverpool have won three of 12 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 three of their last nine in Italy, at Fiorentina in 2009, Roma in 17/18 and Napoli last season.

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

Scores to settle

Jurgen Klopp has faced Italian clubs in 10 games during his managerial career, winning four and losing six.

On their only two previous visits to the San Paolo, Liverpool have failed to score.

James Milner played against Napoli for Manchester City in the San Paolo in the group stage of this competition in 11/12 with the Italians winning 2-1.

Take your pick

Roberto Firmino has played in 41 of 42 games in Europe under Klopp, only missing the second leg in last season’s semi-final against Barcelona.

If he plays tonight, Firmino will make his 200th appearance for Liverpool.

Firmino, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane have each scored 16 European goals for the Reds.

Mane has scored six goals in his six appearances this season and has 23 in his last 29 for the Reds.

Salah has found the net 11 times in his last 17 Liverpool games.

Steven Gerrard (30) has scored more European Cup goals for Liverpool than any other player. Next on the list are Salah 16, Firmino 15 and Mane 14. (Ian Rush also has 14).

That’s why we’re the Unbearables

108 days after their Champions League success the Reds begin this season’s challenge.

Since losing to Wolves in the FA Cup third round in early January, Liverpool have been defeated once in the last 31 matches in normal time – the 3-0 Nou Camp defeat to Barcelona in May.

Liverpool are three goals short of recording 450 in all competitions under Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool are unbeaten in 13 opening group games of a European campaign (eight wins and five draws) since losing at Valencia in 2002.

Napoli state of play

The Italian outfit have finished second in three of the last four Serie A campaigns, including each of the last two.

Last season Napoli finished as runners-up to Juventus, some 11 points adrift.

Napoli have won only four of their last 12 Champions League matches (three draws, five defeats) – all those victories coming at the Stadio San Paolo.

Carlo Ancelotti has faced Liverpool as a coach 10 times in his career, winning six and losing four. 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.

Napoli have played three times this season. Their opening two Serie A games produced 4-3 results, a win at Fiorentina followed by a defeat at Juventus. Last weekend they beat Sampdoria 2-0 at home with Dries Mertens scoring both.