Lorenzo Insigne chooses bad night to disappear in Napoli ratings after Liverpool loss

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  • Egypt forward Mohamed Salah’s superb solo goal and Brazil goalkeeper Alisson’s astonishing injury-time save helped Liverpool through into the Champions League’s knockouts with a tense 1-0 win against Napoli.

    Last season’s beaten finalists needed victory to guarantee progress and Salah delivered just after the half-hour mark. He skipped past two defenders, before slotting through Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina’s legs as he gambled on a cross.

    Progression seemed assured until second-half injury time when Alisson made himself massive to deny replacement Arkadiusz Milik from close range.

    The victory saw Liverpool finish second in Group C, while previous leaders Napoli dropped into the Europa League.

    NAPOLI (4-4-2)

    David Ospina – 6: A mixed bag from the ex-Arsenal reserve. Comically at fault for goal when he expected a cross. Then excelled after break.

    Nikola Maksimovic – 5: The hulking Serbia defender does not make a natural fit out wide. His lack of pace was regularly exploited by Andy Robertson.

    Raul Albiol – 7: Was put through the wringer by questionable full-back displays. Scrambled across well to keep Reds down to one goal.

    Kalidou Koulibaly – 7: Was beguiled by Salah for the winner, but this was only sour note on a night when he represented a colossal figure.

    Mario Rui – 3: What a horror show from the Portugal left-back. Could not lay a finger on Salah. A fit Faouzi Ghoulam is utterly superior.

    Jose Callejon – 5: Blazed, painfully, over towards the end. This was both Napoli’s best chance on the night, and of going through. Should have done so much better.

    Allan – 7: Performance symbolized Napoli’s. Brazil midfielder began quietly and then dominated midfield with a leading 11 tackles. Did his bit.

    Marek Hamsik – 5: Almost gave Napoli the perfect start with a fine early shot that just sailed over. Couldn’t make a killer play, however. Rather quiet.

    Fabian Ruiz – 6: One superb flick and cross in the first half could have led to a goal. Couldn’t quite link up with Insigne and Mertens. 

    Lorenzo Insigne – 5: The Italy forward’s nimble feet could not kick into gear. Met Matip and Van Dijk on a bad night. No shots tells own story.

    Dries Mertens – 5: Did well to even continue after he was caught by Van Dijk in the early stages. Had been finding space behind the full-backs.

    SUBSTITUTES

    Piotr Zielinski – 6: Liverpool transfer target could not force a breakthrough at Anfield.

    Arkadiusz Milik – 5: Did not improve on starters’ displays. Denied, superbly, by Alisson from point-blank range in injury time.

    Faouzi Ghoulam – 6: He’s only just back from a long-term injury, but is far superior to Rui.

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