Europe holds few surprises for Jürgen Klopp after 100 Uefa games and his latest encounter with Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli brought all-too familiar problems for Liverpool. The old fox, as the
Liverpool manager once called his Italian counterpart, thwarted the European champions’ hopes of qualification for the knockout phase at Anfield.
Liverpool would have advanced with a game to spare with an 18th consecutive home victory in all competitions, penalty shootouts included, and when Dejan Lovren equalised Dries Mertens’ fine opener the stage looked set for another late comeback. It was not to be on this occasion and Klopp’s team will head for Salzburg next month needing to avoid defeat to maintain their designs on a third consecutive
Champions League final appearance.