Liverpool, the defending champions of ‘UEFA Champions League’, have begun their run with a 2-0 defeat in Naples with the hosts taking the lead through a controversial penalty. Liverpool fans have been left infuriated by the unfortunate loss of their favourite team to Napoli which was bolstered by an error committed by the referee, who allowed a penalty kick to Napoli. On the 80th minute of the game, a penalty was mistakenly awarded to Napoli and Dries Mertens made no mistake shooting for a goal. Napoli was then able to seal the victory late through Fernando Llorente, who intercepted a back pass from Virgil van Dijk to double Napoli's advantage and lock up three points. 

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Jurgen Klopp frustrated over penalty awarded to Napoli

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was left frustrated with an unfortunate error of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) on awarding the penalty, on the first day of the group stages. However, he admitted that Liverpool’s loss as a result of their players' underperformance in the match. Klopp has asked for clarification on how VAR was implemented after Liverpool conceded a controversial penalty in their 2-0 Champions League defeat to Napoli.

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History repeating?

Liverpool had lost to Napoli 1-0 in last year’s Champions League but later went on to lift the trophy. Napoli’s manager Carlo Ancelotti had a laugh with his Liverpool counterpart after the match and reassured him that the Liverpool’s defeat to Napoli is a good omen as they lifted the trophy last year after being defeated by Napoli.

“I told him not to worry because if he loses here, he tends to go on and win the Champions League," Ancelotti told an international sports channel.

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Ancelotti was impressed by his side’s performance against the defending European Champions, “I want to see a team that believes in itself and its quality, I really liked the way we played when we weren’t in control.” he said.

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