Liverpool Champions League draw analysis: Napoli reunion is a reminder of fine margins
If not for one save in the closing stages of their last group game against Napoli in December, Liverpool would not be the reigning champions of Europe.
In the second of four added-on minutes at Anfield, with Jurgen Klopp’s side a goal ahead, Virgil van Dijk slightly misjudged Jose Callejon’s cross. The ball fell kindly for Arkadiusz Milik at the far post. His attempt, however, was straight into Alisson’s midriff.
That save meant Liverpool progressed to knock-out stages with nine points, after three wins and three defeats. It meant Napoli were eliminated with nine points, after two wins, three draws and one defeat.
If Milik had placed the shot slightly to either side of the goalkeeper, there would have been no comeback over Barcelona, no road to Madrid and no European Cup number six. Such are the fine margins in the Champions League.
Klopp and players will have been reminded of those margins - and that moment, specifically - when paired with Napoli once again in Thursday’s group stage draw in Monaco.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have become familiar foes. There was not only that narrow win at Anfield but also a 1-0 defeat in Naples last October, which was one of the few occasions last season when Liverpool were outplayed.
They have also met in summer friendlies in recent years.
Napoli caused a little pre-season anxiety among Liverpool supporters with a dominant 3-0 victory at Murrayfield last month, with Andy Robertson revealing that Klopp’s players had shared a few choice home truths with each other after the full-time whistle. The Serie A side took revenge that day for a 5-0 thrashing in Dublin the previous year.
But whereas the two sides had to fight for a runners-up place behind Paris Saint-Germain last time out, in what many considered the Group of Death, this year's draw has been kinder.
Red Bull Salzburg and KRC Genk, the champions of Austria and Belgium respectively, join them in Group E and though capable, they will not be expected to qualify. And interestingly, Salzburg specifically have Liverpool to thank for their place at this stage of the competition.
Die Mozartstädter were handed an automatic group stage berth on this occasion as holders Liverpool had already qualified through their domestic league. This ended Salzburg's 25-year wait to reach the groups, after a run of 13 unsuccessful attempts at qualifying.
They know Napoli well, having been knocked out of the Europa League by them last season and you can expect plenty of pre-match profiles on Sadio Mané and Naby Keita. Both passed through the Red Bull Arena before making their way to Anfield.
There is also an interesting backstory to be told when Klopp’s side come up against Genk. Divock Origi - the hero of last year’s Champions League run, no less - is one of several talented Belgian players to have come up through the club’s ranks, with Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne also among their alumni.
Their last Champions League group stage appearance came in 2011-12, when they suffered elimination despite holding eventual winners Chelsea to a draw in Belgium.
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