Champions League: Liverpool Lose Opener To Napoli

Liverpool hit with a disappointing start to Champions League title defence in a 2-0 defeat to Napoli, in an opener that ran goalless until late when Andrew Robertson committed a needless foul on Jose Callejon.

Right from the first half, the Italian side had sent a strong message that they are taking the victory at home when Lozano headed home a rebound following Adrian's save of two shots from Fabian Ruiz. 

The defending champions did have some brilliant opportunities in the first half but both Mo Salah and Sadio Mane could not convert those scoring chances from inside the box. Another was a chance gifted Salah from Manolas poor clearance in the box but Alex Meret did a good job at saving the Egyptian's shot.

Alex Meret saves an effort from Mo Salah before Liverpool concede two goals in a defeat to Napoli

Whilst the game was poised for a goalless finish, Robertson brought down Callegon inside the 18-yard box and the VAR ruled the tackle to be a foul. Dries Mertens took the spot-kick and sent it to the bottom right corner of the goal in 82nd mins. 

In added minutes, a disastrous defensive mistake set Fernando Llorente up for a scoring chance and he leapt to send it straight into the net for the Napoli's second goal.

Speaking after the match, Liverpool's manager Jurgen Klopp disputed the penalty awarded against his team and claimed the Italian had jumped before contact was made.

"I saw it again and it's clear and obvious to me that Callejon jumped before he was touched," Klopp recalled foul committed by Robertson "But there's nothing we can do about that."

Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg take the lead in Group E after a 6-2 victory over Genk, who are now in the bottom of the table whilst Liverpool followed Napoli in the third position.