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The victory maintained new Napoli coach Ancelotti's record of having never lost in the Champions League against Liverpool with four wins now and a draw. Ancelotti's AC Milan beat Liverpool in the final to lift the title in 2007
Liverpool's Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah leaves the pitch after the UEFA Champions League group C football match between Napoli and Liverpool at the San Paolo stadium in Naples. Pics/AFP
Napoli's Italian forward Lorenzo Insigne (L) celebrates with Napoli's Spanish midfielder Fabian Ruiz after scoring during the UEFA Champions League group C football match between Napoli and Liverpool at the San Paolo stadium in Naples
The Guinean -- making his first Champions League appearance for the club -- had been the only change in Klopp's side from last weekend's draw at Chelsea. Keita took the place of Jordan Henderson, who came on after the Guinean's injury after 20 minutes. Ancelotti oped for a 3-5-2 attack with Nikola Maksimovic coming into the back line. Captain Marek Hamsik started next to Fabian Ruiz and Allan in midfield, with Arkadiusz Milik preferred to Dries Mertens up front alongside Insigne and Callejon.
The hosts defenders pinned back Liverpool's strike force of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson had his work cut out on his return to Italy after his move from Roma last summer. Napoli's top Serie A scorer Insigne came close twice early, with Alisson comfortably saving a Milik header just before the break. The hosts kept up the pressure after the break with Insigne crossing for Milik, who lashed towards goal on 50 minutes, but Joe Gomez came to the rescue after Alisson spilled the ball.
Gomez again did well to clear a goalbound Callejon effort off the line with Dries Mertens rattling the woodwork with Alisson well beaten with eight minutes to go. But Insigne finally shook off Virgil van Dijk to score the winner to deafening applause from the 40,000 crowd. The victory maintained new Napoli coach Ancelotti's record of having never lost in the Champions League against Liverpool with four wins now and a draw. Ancelotti's AC Milan beat Liverpool in the final to lift the title in 2007.
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