Jurgen Klopp admires Piotr Zielinski in the Napoli midfield and is looking for his first ever victory in this stadium, but refuses to create ‘headlines’ after the controversy over a warning to Liverpool fans.
It kicks off on Wednesday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT) at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Jordan Henderson, Curtis Jones, Fabio Carvalho, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have not made the trip, but Thiago Alcantara could make his comeback for the first time since August 6.
“Thiago is back in training, second day today, he’s ready. For how long, we’ll see. Hendo, the results of the scan show after the international break he’ll be back,” said Klopp in his press conference.
Juventus-owned midfielder Arthur will be in the squad too, but is not expected to start tomorrow.
“He needs football and training. He was not in team training for a while. Can he play minutes? Yes. Should he play a full game? No.”
Klopp does not have a good record against Napoli in European football, losing in this stadium with Borussia Dortmund in 2013 and twice for Liverpool in 2018 and 2019.
“We never won here but we quite frequently qualified for CL final after Napoli was with us in groups. Maybe twice, once with Dortmund. I am a late bloomer, I need longer to achieve. We have to play better than three previous games.
“They are a young team but they are all good. I’m not 100% sure but I think not too long ago there was a nervous situation around Napoli when players left, now it’s settled again. One player who always stayed was Zielinski and could build around him.”
The people of Naples were deeply offended by a warning made by the official Liverpool social media warning their fans not to venture outside the hotel even to eat, that they risk being a target for robbery, theft or assault.
“You want headlines! Do you think it’s a dangerous city? You know exactly what they are talking about. I am not here for your headlines.”