While Liverpool walked away from Goodison Park with a single point, Wednesday’s opponents enjoyed a comeback victory to propel themselves to the top of Serie A, at least temporarily.
The Reds’ Champions League campaign kicks off on Wednesday, with Napoli their first Group A opponent – the Italians are unbeaten so far this season.
It is a far cry from Liverpool’s current situation, with nine points dropped from the opening six league games in an uncharacteristic start for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Luciano Spalletti, on the other hand, has overseen three wins and two draws in 2022/23 to date, with Napoli’s latest win on Saturday night lifting his spirits after trailing early.
Napoli made the trip to Lazio and found themselves behind on the scoreboard after four minutes, with Mattia Zaccagni giving time and space on the edge of the area to seek out the corner kick.
Summer singer Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was the man to drag Napoli forward, hitting the post to increase the pressure on Lazio, but it was Kim Min-jae who scored from a corner to make it 1-1 before half-time.
In the second half, Napoli peppered Lazio’s goal, and Kvaratskhelia finally got her goal in the 61st minute, a shot that turned out to be the winner and a warning to Liverpool for their next visit.
That’s now four goals in five Serie A games for Kvaratskhelia, who has been at the heart of the Italian team’s brilliant start.
However, Spalletti hinted at a possible area Liverpool could exploit against his team, after expressing frustration that his team gave the ball away in “dangerous situations”.
“We always press and create chances with determination. The problem is that we keep losing the ball in situations where a team like ours can’t do that,” the Napoli coach told Sky Sport Italia.
“There are passes that are simply beyond discussion. Sometimes we can be a bit lazy and arrogant in passing and end up giving it away in dangerous situations.”
It is a different team from the one Liverpool have faced in the Champions League in recent years, more offensive and also susceptible to errors, as Spalletti himself confessed.
The victory pushed Napoli to the top of the table, along with Milan, but Atalanta and Roma could displace them from the top if they win their respective matches.
Naples XI: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Kim, Mario Rui (Olivera 90+2′); Anguissa, Lobotka (Ndombele 90+2′), Zielinski (Elmas 68′); Lozano (Politano 45′), Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia (Raspadori 68′)
