Napoli are in terrible form right now and there really couldn’t be a better time for Liverpool to face them.
If we just take the last month, Napoli haven’t won a game. That’s a stretch of six games, no wins, five draws, and a defeat against Roma.
The manner of their struggles is varied, too – this isn’t a simple problem. It would be one thing if they were merely prone to giving up leads or starting slowly but their form suggests both.
They conceded a late equaliser against Atalanta and quick equalisers against Milan and SPAL. They gave up early goals against both RB Salzburg and Roma.
And now they’re in complete disarray.
President Aurelio De Laurentiis tried to fix things with a week-long training camp, per ESPN. However, both the squad and coach Carlo Ancelotti rebuffed the idea.
De Laurentiis didn’t react well. He subsequently imposed a media blackout on the squad and is planning to fine the players 25% of their salary this month (again, per ESPN).
It’s a bizarre situation at Napoli and one that immediately hands an advantage to Liverpool.
The two teams sit first and second in Champions League group E and both can confirm progression with a win on Wednesday. Both know that winning one of their last two games will seal things but you can bet that they’ll each want to do it this week.
Liverpool, for one thing, have a difficult game at RB Salzburg in a hectic December to finish. There’s little doubt that a win on Wednesday would make life a lot easier, especially that month.
And so the chaos in Naples benefits them greatly as they prepare to face a side with plenty else on their minds. Before the teams even take the field, Liverpool hold an advantage.
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