The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Liverpool’s Champions League defence got off to a disappointing start last night when they lost 2-0 away to Napoli. Dries Mertens is pictured scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot.
Reds’ title defence off to disappointing start
NAPOLI 2 LIVERPOOL 0
Liverpool began the defence of their Champions League crown on a losing note as Dries Mertens’ penalty and Fernando Llorente’s injury-time strike handed Napoli a 2-0 victory.
On a balmy night at the intimidating Stadio San Paolo, the Reds fell behind in the 82nd minute when Mertens converted from the spot after Andy Robertson had upended Jose Callejon in the area.
Substitute Llorente – part of the Tottenham side beaten by the Reds in last season’s Champions League final – then took advantage of a mistake from Virgil Van Dijk to bag his first goal for Napoli after joining them earlier this month.
Liverpool have started their Premier League campaign with five successive victories but largely struggled for composure in their Group E opener, while they lacked a clinical edge on a night where they were barracked throughout by a boisterous home support.
They were indebted to a couple of crucial saves from goalkeeper Adrian for keeping the scores level and, though Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah went close for the visitors, their errors in the later stages proved costly.
This was their second defeat in Naples inside a year, having gone all the way in Europe’s elite club competition despite losing all three matches away from Anfield in the group stage last season.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson rued his side’s lack of cutting edge.
“(In the) first half I still felt we played some good stuff, it’s that final bit we were just missing today. At home Napoli are a good side, they are going to create some chances,” he told BT Sport.
“You’ve got to be prepared to defend as a team which again, I felt we did. We won some great balls in midfield and counter-attack, but it was just that last little bit and then obviously the mistakes.
“Overall, we can be better of course, and like I say we’ll take responsibility. We’ll move forward and try and react in the right way.”
CHELSEA 0 VALENCIA 1
Ross Barkley fluffed a late penalty as Frank Lampard suffered defeat on his Champions League debut as Chelsea manager.
The Blues, trailing to a goal from Valencia winger Rodrigo, were given a lifeline in the closing stages when VAR flagged up a handball in the area.
But Barkley’s spot-kick clipped the crossbar to condemn Lampard and his young side to a 1-0 loss in the Group H opener.
The Spaniards were supposed to be there for the taking, having arrived in west London in turmoil following the sacking of popular boss Marcelino last week, a move which has angered the players as well as the fans.
But they did not play like a team on the verge of mutiny and had too much nous for Lampard’s beginners, four of whom were making their Champions League debuts.
Lampard, who played 102 Champions League matches for Chelsea and captained them to their 2012 triumph, was perfectly placed to impart his experience of playing at this level to his youngsters – but it could still be a steep learning curve this season.
Tammy Abraham, fresh from his hattrick at Wolves, was denied a maiden Champions League goal when his near-post flick was blocked by Valencia keeper Jasper Cillessen.
And fellow rookie Mason Mount then received a painful introduction to Europe when former Arsenal midfielder Frances Coquelin left his studs on the inside of the youngster’s shin.
It was a nasty challenge which only earned Coquelin a yellow card, but after trying to play on Mount’s match came to a premature end after 14 minutes.
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen’s double save from a penalty helped earn a 0-0 draw in their Champions League opener at Borussia Dortmund.
The La Liga champions brought Lionel Messi on for the closing stages, to replace 16-year-old Ansu Fati, for a first appearance of the new season.