Robertson the villain in Naples
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Andrew Robertson holds his hands up in apology after giving away a contentious penalty in Liverpool’s 2-0 Champions League defeat to Napoli last night
PENALTY or not, and it was a hotlydebated subject, it was rare to see the usually impeccable Andrew Robertson and Virgil van Dijk assume the role of fall guys last night as the European champions crashed to a disappointing defeat.
Liverpool looked like they would begin Group E by taking a point off Napoli, but everything changed in 82 minutes when Jose Callejon tumbled under pressure from Robertson and referee Felix Brych had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
After Dries Mertens converted, worse was to follow when a poor back pass from van Dijk allowed former Spurs striker Fernando Llorente to kill the contest in stoppage time.
Jurgen Klopp bemoaned the crucial penalty that punctured his team’s return to Europe but refused to take aim at VAR. There was fury among Liverpool’s players, though, and TV replays showed Callejon had started to fall before he had made contact with the Scot. German official Brych refused to use technology to change his decision.
Klopp asked the media in his press conference who thought a spot-kick was the right decision and only two local reporters raised their hands. There was no disguising how much the incident had irked him.
‘It should hurt us because there were opportunities for us,’ he said. ‘It was an open game with a lot of counter-attacks but we didn’t finish them off. That is a problem. I don’t think it’s a penalty. What can I say, for me, it is clear and obvious no penalty. I do not want to say too much, as it makes me sound like a bad loser. But Callejon jumps before any contact.’
Liverpool became the first European champions to lose their next game out in this competition since AC Milan in 1994.
True, the Milanese went on to the final that year, as did Ajax, the team that beat them. And Liverpool also lost away to Napoli in the group stage 12 months ago, and still won the tournament. It’s early days. Nobody reads too much into these group games any more.
Even so, this was a sore one. European champions usually get to bask in the glory a little longer. Instead, it is sleeves up, given one of the group, Red Bull Salzburg, opened by putting six past Genk. Next month, when they play the Austrians at Anfield, there can be no slip-ups.
Part of Liverpool’s success has been the excellence of Klopp’s defence. Van Dijk (right) is widely thought to be the best centre-back in Europe; Robertson one of the greatest bargains in Premier League history. At a time when defending is increasingly considered a lost art, these guys are Gilbert & George.
Liverpool win because the back four lay a foundation that makes goals count. So to go down to a late penalty and then lose a second because of a lousy back pass by van Dijk is unfamiliar territory.
Liverpool should have been ahead by the time Napoli scored but a superb piece of goalkeeping from Alex Meret stopped them taking a lead in the second half when the Napoli defence made a hash of a clearance. At least Kalidou Koulibaly did his job, a centre repelled with a forthright header which fell to his partner Kostas Monolas. But he sliced his kick, sending it into the path of Mohamed Salah. It was a gift and Salah looked certain to take advantage, but Meret pushed his shot round the post. Liverpool were vulnerable and, with eight minutes left, disaster struck. Callejon had been moved from a wide position in a smart move by Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti, but it still required Robertson to stick out a leg rashly for this to make a difference. Callejon tumbled over and gave the ref the opportunity to point to the spot. Replays were in the eye of the beholder. Some made it look a dive or at least that favoured cliche ‘looking for it’.
Others showed carelessness on the Scot’s part. Adrian, who had been excellent all night, got a hand to Mertens’ low shot but it was not enough to keep it out.
Worse followed. Van Dijk was in possession when he turned and tried to pass back to Robertson without seeing sub Llorente. He accepted the present and slipped the ball past Adrian. Van Dijk put his head in his hands, his veneer of invincibility gone. Liverpool’s too.
Ancelotti is not a stereotypical Italian coach. He gambles and Napoli were set up 4-2-4 in a bid to negate Liverpool’s marauding fullbacks. This was mostly successful, even if Liverpool couldn’t help but have more chances than they did on their last visit here — when they had none.
Napoli seized an early initiative. They had the ball in the net in just seven minutes, having forced a double save from Adrian. Both stops came from shots by midfielder Fabian Ruiz.
His first was kept out by Adrian, but the ball returned to the feet of
the Spanish international, who tried again. Adrian was equal to it once more, but this time the deflection bounced up and was headed in by Hirving Lozano. A flag was instantly raised and play had restarted before VAR even completed its cursory check.
Adrian made the save of the night just after half-time from a volley by Mertens at the far post. Sadio Mane had a chance and Roberto Firmino a header, but it was an inconsistent show from the kings of Europe.
No-one will be panicking, but Liverpool have their eyes on another big prize this season, and a Champions League scrap is certainly a nuisance they can do without.