Liverpool’s Champions League fate to be decided against Napoli after defeat to Paris Saint-Germain

Liverpool’s Champions League fate to be decided against Napoli after defeat to Paris Saint-Germain
Liverpool’s chances of qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League will come down to an all-or-nothing decider at home to Napoli next month.Jurgen Klopp’s side have to beat the Serie A side by more than one goal to ensure progress to the knockout stage having suffered a fourth successive Champions League away defeat, withParis Saint-Germain running out deserved 2-1 winners in France on Wednesday night.4

Neymar got the winner for PSG

Juan Bernat and Neymar, whose 31st goal in the competition saw him leapfrog Kaka as the top-scoring Brazilian, put the hosts ahead before James Milner’s penalty on the stroke of half-time offered hope.But despite an improved second-half performance Liverpool could not find an equaliser, leaving themselves with it all do in what is certain to be a highly charged occasion in a fortnight’s time.Having overpowered PSG at Anfield they will hope to do the same to the Italians but there was no rolling over their French opponents in their own backyard.Marco Verratti was injured for the previous meeting but he set about making his mark – quite literally at one point, with an ugly lunge on Joe Gomez which should have resulted in a red card – from the off.4

Verrati was lucky to stay on the pitch

The Italy midfielder, reassured by Marquinhos holding the ground behind him, was soon pulling the strings with an early Kylian Mbappe shot deflected wide and an Angel Di Maria volley tipped behind by Alisson Becker.In September Liverpool had swamped their opponents in the middle of the pitch but it was a completely different story in the French capital with PSG holding all the cards.With Neymar, playing wide on the left of a midfield four, exciting and infuriating in equal measure with his quality and overacting Liverpool were under the cosh and the pressure told as early as the 14th minute.An uncharacteristic error by Virgil Van Dijk saw the Holland defender half-clear Mbappe’s shot to Bernat and he cut inside to squeeze a right-footed shot between the closing Joe Gomez and Jordan Henderson with the ball taking a deflection off the defender.4

Juan Bernat opened the scoring for PSG

Salah curling a shot wide was as good as it got for the visitors, for whom Gomez was having a tough time as having been nailed by a reckless over-the-top Verratti challenge was then booked after losing possession to and then pulling back Neymar.For all his rolling-around antics Neymar can turn it on in a flash and, having collected the ball 25 yards inside his own half, he shook off compatriot Roberto Firmino and exchanged passes with Mbappe before releasing his pacy team-mate down the left.Edinson Cavani’s close-range shot from the resulting cross was blocked by Alisson but Neymar converted the rebound. A rapid counter-attack. Liverpool had been treated to a dose of their own medicine. But the Reds were given a lifeline on the stroke of half-time when Mane robbed Marquinhos, who up to that point had been commanding, and was brought down just inside the penalty area by a lunging Di Maria.Polish referee Szymon Marciniak initially pointed for a corner, but having presumably received some advice from his fellow official behind the goal, changed his mind and awarded a penalty which Milner dispatched against a cacophony of whistles and jeers.4

James Milner gave Liverpool hope with a penalty

Liverpool began the second half with much more fight, finally taking the game to PSG, and boss Thomas Tuchel was concerned enough to replace midfielder Di Maria with defender Dani Alves and Cavani with the arguably less-talented but more energetic Eric Choupo-Moting.But for all their pressure they could not crack their opponents, who used every trick in the book to take time out of the game when they were wobbling, and it was the hosts who had the best chance with Alisson saving Marquinos’ header.It is not what Klopp would have wanted having been top of Group C at the halfway stage but another electric Anfield night awaits.

---

Tottenham vs Crystal Palace predictions: Crystal Palace line-up After a difficult victory against Huddersfield which saw the Terriers' fate sealed, Crystal Palace travel to the Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham team news: Predicted XI to face Crystal Palace in

---

paper talk Transfer news and football gossip: Kylian Mbappe hints at PSG exit, Alexis Sanchez's desperate bid to leave Manchester United, City identify Vincent Kompany replacement
Kylian Mbappe hints at PSG exit, Alexis Sanchez's desperate

---

Fantasy Football Tips: Who should you sign, sell and captain this weekend? WHO should you transfer in and out of your Fantasy Premier League team ahead of Gameweek 6? By James Phillips
Fantasy Football Tips: Premier League transfer advice for

---

Simon Jordan believes Adam Johnson should be made an example of, as a cautionary tale for youngsters that footballers are not above the law. The former England winger will reportedly leave HM Prison Moorland on March 22 after serving half a six-year sentence handed to him in March 2016.
The Times & The Sunday Times

---

Juventus vs Ajax live on talkSPORT 2: Full commentary and

---

Wolves fan slapped with three-year ban for throwing pie at West Ham supporter says it flew out her mouth while coughing A WOLVES fan banned for hurling a pie at a rival supporter claims it
Wolves fan receives ban for throwing pie at West Ham supporter

---

Manchester City became the first men's team in English history to win the domestic treble on Saturday. A 6-0 win against Watford at Wembley secured the FA Cup, which Pep Guardiola's side have
Manchester United launch new Treble-inspired home kit

---

Rochdale AFC sack manager Keith Hill and his assistant - here's everything the club said. Chairman Andrew Kilpatrick said it was the 'most difficult decision' the board has had to make.
Rochdale sack manager Keith Hill - About Manchester

---

Liverpool transfer news: When West Ham star and Reds target Felipe Anderson admitted his 'dream' to play for Manchester United Liverpool are reportedly considering a swoop for West Ham attacker Felipe Anderson in the summer - but it may not please fans to know he is a big Manchester United admirer. The Hammers paid a club..
Transfer news and football gossip: Liverpool target Callum

---

Napoli fear being priced out of Kieran Trippier transfer with Tottenham wanting £40m for the defender Spurs could offload both Kieran Trippier and Serge Aurier this summer leaving them with just
Everton line up £20m transfer bid for Spurs' England star

---

Swansea winger Daniel James has withdrawn from the Wales squad following the sudden death of his father. James had been named in the squad for a training camp in Portugal ahead of the upcoming
Daniel James withdraws from Wales squad following bereavement

---

DAN AND OUT The 32-year-old suffered an injury to his left knee in a training session last week Bournemouth full-back Charlie Daniels has been ruled out for the rest of the season following knee surgery and is also expected to miss the start to the next campaign.
Bournemouth stalwart Charlie Daniels to miss the start of

---

Home / Alisson Becker stats could see him break Liverpool record in Premier League clash against Newcastle Sport May 4, 2019 Alisson Becker stats could see him break Liverpool record in Premier League clash against Newcastle
The Premier League record Pepe Reina is backing Liverpool's

---

Jorginho has urged Maurizio Sarri to not take the Juventus job as it would be seen as a 'betrayal' by Napoli fans. The Chelsea boss is favourite to land the manager's post in Turin following the departure of Massimiliano Allegri. Getty 1 Maurizio Sarri and Jorginho both joined Chelsea from Napoli last summer Sarri is…
Chelsea star Jorginho says it would be a 'betrayal' if

---

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has admitted he is open to a return to Spain one day amid speculation linking him with the Real Madrid job. Los Blancos are enduring a torrid season
Tottenham Hotspur news: Mauricio Pochettino 'would love to

---