Brazilian puts theatrics aside to kill off Liverpool’s hopes

penalty had brought the game back into range, they missed too many second-half chances.

In particular, Roberto Firmino fired a header wide from Andy Robertson’s cross, and the left back also wasted two fine positions when he should have found a teammate in front of goal.

It was a breathless game, with a frenetic opening.

The first cracks showed when Marco Verratti sent Kylian Mbappe racing forward and only a desperate Dejan Lovren lunge diverted danger. But there was hesitancy, and that led to the crucial opening goal.

In the 13th minute, Lovren was reluctant to close down the marauding Bernat on the left and, when Virgil van Dijk could only get a toe on the cross, it fell to the flying fullback.

Bernat cut inside on his right and with the help of a slight deflection wrong-footed Alisson in the visiting goal. Where Liverpool could initially smell blood, now they had the scent of fear in their nostrils.

Neymar, despite his embarrassing and consistent theatrics, suddenly took heart and found confidence.

Liverpool were attempting to put fires out all over the pitch. But incredibly, just as it seemed the storm had passed, they conceded again.

A poor ball from Mo Salah outside the French box turned the ball over to Neymar, who exchanged passes with Mbappe and sent the young forward flying down the left. He was coolness personified as he crossed intelligently and even though Alisson brilliantly saved Edinson Cavani’s flick, Neymar had continued his run to steer in the rebound.

Two down after 37 minutes, Liverpool looked dead and buried. Yet just as their thoughts turned to the two-goal victory they would need over Napoli, the lifeline came.

Polish official Szymon Marciniak initially gave a corner as Sadio Mane was brought down in the box by Angel Di Maria, but was forced to change his mind – and James Milner converted from the spot.