Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis warning “not to expect too much” proved prescient, as the Partenopei were thrashed 5-0 by Liverpool in a friendly.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side were a week behind in terms of pre-season preparation, and that lack of sharpness showed when they fell behind after only four minutes.
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis warning “not to expect too much” proved prescient, as the Partenopei were thrashed 5-0 by Liverpool in a friendly.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side were a week behind in terms of pre-season preparation, and that lack of sharpness showed when they fell behind after only four minutes.
Nathaniel Clyne showed good anticipation to win possession on the left, with Mohamed Salah poking the ball through for Sadio Mané.
The Senegal international turned and found James Milner in space, and the midfielder rifled a left-footed shot into the top corner.
It was Milner who was involved again for the second, taking a short corner, receiving the ball back and whipping it into the centre.
Orestis Karnezis came to punch but didn’t get there, and Wijnaldum took advantage to head into the net.
It took 24 minutes for Alisson to be called into action in the Liverpool goal, beating away Lorenzo Insigne’s shot after a fine Napoli move.
Roberto Firmino thought he had made it 3-0 after a fine run by Salah, but his goal was ruled-out for offside despite it appearing that the final touch was off Marek Hamsik.
It took until 58 minutes for the Reds to make it three, and it was a classic Salah finish.
The Egyptian headed down toward Sadio Mané, who pushed Raul Albiol in the back, a foul that was missed by the officials.
The ball found its way back to Salah, and the former Roma forward curled a left-footed shot into the far top corner.
Karnezis once again didn't cover himself in glory for the fourth, beating out substitute Dominic Solanke’s shot straight into the path of Daniel Sturridge, who made no mistake.
With just under 15 minutes to play the Reds made it 5-0, Alberto Moreno’s fierce strike beating Karnezis at his near post.
Liverpool 5-0 Napoli
Milner 4 (L) Wijnaldum 9 (L) Salah 58 (L) Sturridge 72 (L) Moreno 77 (L)
Napoli: Karnezis; Hysaj, Albiol (Maksimovic, 59), Koulibaly (Chiriches, 71), Luperto (Mario Rui, 46); Allan, Hamsik (Diawara, 62), Fabian (Rog, 62); Callejon (Ounas, 62), Milik (Inglese, 62), Insigne (Verdi, 62)
Liverpool: Alisson; Clyne (Alexander-Arnold, 55), Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson (Moreno, 65); Wijnaldum (Jones, 65), Milner (Fabinho, 55), Keita; Salah (Solanke, 65), Mané (Sturridge, 65), Firmino (Shaqiri, 46)