Zielinski sparkles as Napoli hammer Liverpool

Piotr Zielinski struck twice and assisted another as Napoli produced a stunning 4-1 win over Liverpool in their Champions League opener in Group A.

Action: The last season Champions League runners-up struggled since the start of the game with Napoli's intensity and were completely thrashed by the Italian side.

Napoli through Victor Osimhen almost scored in the second minute as he rounded  Alisson, but hit the post from a tight angle.

However, in the fifth minute, the hosts went ahead. James Milner handled Matteo Politano’s shot inside the box and from the penalty spot, Zielinski kept his cool to convert.

Luciano Spalletti's men should've doubled their lead 13 minutes later, after Virgil van Dijk was adjudged to have taken down Osimhen by a VAR review, but the Nigerian’s penalty kick was saved well by Alisson.

Jurgen Klopp's side couldn't handle Napoli and were close to concede again, but van Dijk cleared off the line an imminent goal from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

But, eventually, Napoli doubled their lead on the half-hour mark through Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, who fired past Alisson following a neat give-and-go with Zielinski.

Liverpool's nightmare got worse when they found themselves 3-0 down a minute before half-time. Giovanni Simeone, who came on for the injured Osimhen, turned Kvaratskhelia's driven cross into an empty net.

The hosts kept the same high tempo in the second half and with two minutes after the restart, Zielinski’s initial shot from inside the box was saved by Alisson, but he then placed the rebound into the net from close range.

The Reds grabbed a goal back shortly after, with Luis Diaz curling a fantastic finish into the far corner from outside the box.

The Merseysiders offered no danger after Diaz' goal and were unable to recover from their poor first half display.

Big Picture: Liverpool were struggling in the Premier League with only two wins in their first six Premier League games, but the Champions League is completely different competition, so there were expectations for a strong Liverpool.

However, it went completely the other way round as Jurgen Klopp's men were completely outplayed by the Napolitanos.

Liverpool will now aim to recover when they return to Premier League action at home to Wolves on Saturday.

xG: Napoli (4.59) 4-1 (1.17) Liverpool

Stat of the Day: Liverpool have conceded the first goal in five games in all competitions this season, the joint-most of any Premier League side along with Southampton.

"It's a really tough cookie to take"

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp believes his side was "never really in the game" against Napoli...💬#UCL | 🎙 @TheDesKelly pic.twitter.com/zDVLRVwAuo

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 7, 2022