Liverpool 1-0 Napoli: Hits and flops | UEFA Champions League 2018-19

In what was a do-or-die encounter for both sides as far as advancement to the last-16 stage of the Champions League was concerned, Liverpool held on to a narrow win against Napoli, despite failing to rise up to their usual levels of footballing prowess.

The match not only helped the English side climb to second place in the group behind French champions PSG, but it also proved that they are still up for a challenge even when a few of their key performers do not rise up to expectations.

Mohamed Salah scored in the 36th minute to provide Liverpool a 1-0 lead needed for them to get to the last-16. The finishing touches were however applied when their star shot-stopper, Alisson Becker, produced a spectacular moment by saving a near-impossible chance off Arkadiusz Milik in the 2nd minute of injury time, at the tail end of the 2nd half.

Lets look at the best and worst performers from the contest.

#1 Hit: Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB, Liverpool)

Liverpool's brightest young prospect turned in yet another display that proved a case in point as to why he is one of Jurgen Klopp's most preferred names on the team sheet. Alexander-Arnold led most of Liverpool's attacks through the right flank, and made 6 key passes during the game.

He was also at his defensive best, fulfilling his primary role by means of sweetly timed tackles and interceptions.

In the 23rd minute, Liverpool had an opportunity to lead as Trent fired a beautiful delivery which found Sadio Mane, who in turn successfully converted it few yards away from goal. But the goal was disallowed as Mane was in an offside position.

The England youngster continued to shine, and even brought the attention of Napoli goalkeeper David Ospina upon himself when he fired a shot that deflected off Firmino and towards goal, forcing a quick save from the loanee keeper from Arsenal.

#1 Flop: Dries Mertens (LF, Napoli)

Much had been talked about the Belgian striker who is one of the most technically sound goalscorers in world football. At his best, Mertens has helped the side from Naples script memorable victories in both the Serie A as well as in European ties. But yesterday was not one of those nights for Mertens, as he could not come anywhere close to justifying his footballing persona.

Mertens featured for 67 minutes on the pitch, during which he was able to muster a lone shot at goal. His game was rife with a few unskilled touches which resulted in the loss of ball possession. He was also unable to team up well enough with his partner down the right, Lorenzo Insigne.

Perhaps his poor game could be highlighted further by the fact that center-back Raul Albiol and left-midfielder Fabian Ruiz had more shots than him. Carlo Ancelotti eventually took him off in the 67th minute, with Arkadiusz Milik replacing him.

#2 Hit: Mohamed Salah (RW, Liverpool)

Liverpool was able to come through an tense affair with a thin margin, thanks to Mohamed Salah who scored the solitary goal in the contest to seal it off for the Merseyside Reds.

The Egyptian effected 3 shots overall, 2 of which were on target, including the one which went in. He was also able to pair up well with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold coming in from behind, and co-attackers Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. In fact, the Egyptian maintained a pass-success rate of nearly 4 in every 5 passes made, and also made 4 key passes in total.

In the 36th minute, James Milner played a low ball to Salah who exposed a gap between Napoli's centre-backs Rui and Koulibaly, before crossing the final barrier in Ospina at the near post. Liverpool's go-to man of last season thus proved why he fits the description perfectly.

#2 Flop: Jose Callejon (RM, Napoli)

Yet another Napoli talisman who had a rough night at Anfield. The Spaniard was ideally supposed to link up with Insigne in front, and Allan & Hamsik in the middle to help coordinate attacks, but in turn, displayed some uncharacteristic moments on the field by losing the ball on multiple occasions.

The former Real Madrid man was not his usual self, and as a result, Napoli's attacks were often found wanting.

As the game progressed, Napoli saw themselves shifting into somewhat of a 4-1-3-2 formation, with Callejon often drifting behind, just in front of the fullbacks, and thereby helping in defence.

To his credit, he did manage a few interceptions and tackles, but that was not supposed to be his primary duty. Napoli eventually paid the price for his poor night as they failed to pierce the Liverpool back-line, and were sent crashing out of the UEFA Champions League.

#3 Hit: Alisson Becker (GK, Liverpool)

If Mohamed Salah can be credited for bringing Liverpool ahead in the game, the one person who can be credited for keeping them there is Alisson. The Brazilian goalkeeper is probably the best reason why Jurgen Klopp is flashing his teeth right now, as they got through to the round-of-16.

Throughout the match, Alisson pocketed as many as 5 shots from the likes of Napoli's Insigne, Ruiz, Hamsik, Mario Rui, and others. With PSG winning their game against Red Star Belgrade at the other end, the current Premier League table-toppers needed to somehow cling on to the 1-0 lead they had at halftime in order to harbour hopes of a win, and they succeeded in pulling it off courtesy of Alisson who made the best save of the day.

It was in the 92nd minute when Milik profited from unwarranted panic in the Reds' back-line, bringing himself just eight yards away from goal and firing a shot that would have graced the net 9.5 times out of 10.

But Milik probably failed to take account of the other 0.5 times, which was what duly happened as Alisson made a spectacular block, carrying Liverpool on his shoulders past the finish line.

"A million-dollar save", shouted one of the commentators on air.

Edited by Anthony Akatugba Jr.