Last season’s beaten finalists Liverpool host Napoli at Anfield tonight and boss Jurgen Klopp says his side must conjure up “something special” if they are to qualify from Champions League group C.
At the same time how PSG perform at home to Red Star Belgrade will determine who finishes top of the group in the event Liverpool do get the win they need.
“It is a big opportunity for us and we will try everything to put it right,” said Klopp. “We have the chance to go through, that is special after the campaign we played so far.”
Asked why Liverpool are in this predicament after last season’s stunning European campaign, the German pointed to their failure to pick up a point on the road: “We knew it after the Napoli [defeat] that that was not good enough. Belgrade was not better. Paris was an okay away game, in the Champions League you can lose against PSG in their stadium.”
League status irrelevant
Liverpool are the only unbeaten side in the Premier League and their 4-0 win against Bournemouth at the weekend, coupled with Manchester City’s loss to Chelsea, means they are the new leaders.
But Klopp sees no relevance between their league form and what they must do tonight to ensure their Champions League dreams aren’t dashed.
“The league is not too important in the moment because we play against Napoli,” he said. “We have to make sure we are ready.”
Group C permutations
Uefa.com explains what can happen on matchday six in group C.
Tonight’s fixtures: Red Star vs. Paris Saint-Germain; Liverpool vs. Napoli
Who can still qualify: Napoli, PSG, Liverpool
Napoli will be through if they draw, or if they lose and PSG are also beaten
PSG will be through if they win, and are also certain to advance if Liverpool do not gain victory
Liverpool must win to have any chance of progress. If PSG win, Liverpool must win 1-0 or by two goals or more
If Liverpool, PSG and Napoli all finish on nine points, Liverpool would finish first on the three-way head-to-head, with second place depending on the scoreline at Anfield
Team news and possible starting XIs
Liverpool team news
The Reds have no fresh injury concerns after their win against Bournemouth at the weekend. Striker Sadio Mane is fit to start and midfielder Adam Lallana is also available.
Dejan Lovren will be assessed but fellow defender Joe Gomez is out for six weeks. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rhian Brewster remain on the long-term absentee list.
Napoli team news
The Italian side will be without Simone Verdi and Vlad Chiriches for the Anfield clash. Otherwise Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti has a full squad to choose from.
Possible starting XIs
How the two teams could line up at Anfield, according to talkSPORT.
Liverpool possible starting XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Milner, Wijnaldum, Shaqiri; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Napoli possible starting XI (4-3-3): Ospina; Maksimovic, Albiol, Koulibaly, Rui; Allan, Hamsik, Ruiz; Callejon, Insigne, Mertens
Matchday six fixtures and TV guide
Tuesday 11 December
Group A: Club Brugge vs. Atlético Madrid (8pm, live on BT Sport Extra 4); Monaco vs. Borussia Dortmund (8pm, live on BT Sport Extra 3)
Group B: Barcelona vs. Tottenham Hotspur (8pm, live on BT Sport 3); Inter Milan vs. PSV Eindhoven (8pm, live on BT Sport ESPN)
Group C: Red Star Belgrade vs. Paris Saint-Germain (8pm, live on BT Sport Extra 2); Liverpool vs. Napoli (8pm, live on BT Sport 2)
Group D: FC Schalke 04 vs. Lokomotiv Moscow (5.55pm, live on BT Sport 1); Galatasaray vs. FC Porto (5.55pm, live on BT Sport ESPN)
Wednesday 12 December
Group E: Ajax vs. Bayern Munich (8pm, live on BT Sport Extra 2); Benfica vs. AEK Athens (8pm, live on BT Sport Extra 3)
Group F: Manchester City vs. 1899 Hoffenheim (8pm, live on BT Sport 2); Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Lyon (8pm, live on BT Sport Extra 4)
Group G: Real Madrid vs. CSKA Moscow (5.55pm, live on BT Sport 1); Viktoria Plzen vs. Roma (5.55pm, live on BT Sport ESPN)
Group H: Valencia vs. Manchester United (8pm, live on BT Sport 3); Young Boys vs. Juventus (8pm, live on BT Sport ESPN)
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