HIGHLIGHTS: Napoli 4 vs 1 Liverpool: Watch the full highlights of the game on HD

Napoli tore Liverpool apart on matchday one of the Champions League, racing into a 4-0 lead within the first 47 minutes and completely embarrassing the lacklustre 2022 finalists.

Piotr Zielinski scored twice, once from the penalty spot and assisted Andre-Frank Zambo Aguissa. Giovanni Simeone, son of Diego, also got in on the act, while Victor Osimhen even missed from the spot and hit the woodwork. Luis Diaz have Liverpool their consolation.

Napoli started the game at 100mph and Osimhen hit the outside of the post from a tight angle after only 42 seconds, having surged past Joe Gomez through the middle. The home side were well worth their lead just four minutes in when James Milner’s outstretched arm saw the referee point to the penalty spot – Zielinski made no mistake from 12 yards.

Osimhen was proving to be a real handful for the Liverpool defenders and won a second Napoli penalty with still less than 20 minutes on the clock. A VAR check showed boot to boot contact from Virgil van Dijk, who was booked. Osimhen took it himself, but Alisson was equal to it this time.

Liverpool didn’t much threaten until midway through the first half when home goalkeeper Alex Meret got fingertips to a dipping Trent Alexander-Arnold free-kick.

But still it was relentless Napoli on top and Liverpool soon had Van Dijk to thank for a goal-line clearance after Gomez had been poorly disposed by Osimhen. The Nigerian then unselfishly squared it past Alisson to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, only for Van Dijk to block the final shot.

Gomez was again poor when Napoli did get their second, too easily possessed, although his ball-watching teammates also didn’t cover themselves in glory. It was far too easy for Anguissa to play a one-two with Zielinski to manoeuvre into position and coolly finish past Alisson.

Napoli even lost Osimhen to injury late in the first half, which could have been a major blow to their chances. But more really lax Liverpool defending led to a quick third for replacement Simeone. Gomez and Alexander-Arnold were both culpable as Kvaratskhelia played it across for the Argentine making his Champions League debut.

Jurgen Klopp hooked the hapless Gomez at half-time, but substitute Joel Matip was hardly any better, caught cold as Zielinski scored Napoli’s fourth. The Pole reacted quickest to a rebound off Alisson, who saved the initial shot. Again, it was all too easy from a Liverpool perspective.

After half-time, Diaz looked the Liverpool player most likely to make something happen and did so with a fierce but measure shot into the far corner. The Colombian’s powerful header not long after brought a decent save from Meret – Diaz was also spared when Klopp hooked the barely seen Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino with almost half an hour left.

A slew of substitutions from both managers ultimately affected the rhythm of the game in the second half. Liverpool did improve with Thiago on the pitch, but there may also have been an element of Napoli lifting off the gas with such a comfortable lead.

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