Italian side had led through Lavezzi strike....
By George Watts
Steven Gerrard came off the bench to save Liverpool yet again as the irrepressible midfielder scored a second half hat-trick to secure all three points in the Europa League match against Napoli.
Napoli had stunned the Anfield crowd by dominating the first half and had taken a 1-0 lead and arguably should have scored more against a lacklustre Liverpool side.
But Liverpool improved drastically in the second half and led by Gerrard produced a fine comeback to secure victory in front of new owner John Henry.
Roy Hodgson had one eye firmly on the weekend ahead of Napoli’s trip to Anfield in the Europa Cup as he rested both Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard ahead of Chelsea’s visit on Sunday.
Glen Johnson returned at right back following a four game absence whilst youngsters Jonjo Shelvey and Jay Spearing were both given a chance to impress and gain further experience in Europe.
Napoli had given Roy Hodgson’s side a stern test two weeks ago and they retained the same starting line-up from that game, in which Liverpool had successfully succeeded in stifling the Italians and consequently earned a hard fought 0-0 draw.
It was a bold formation from the Serie A side and their attacking purpose was evident with a 3-4-3 set up, a refreshing approach which signified an entertaining contest. .
Liverpool began with plenty of attacking intent and quickly exploited the flanks to some success, with the ever improving Milan Jovanovic crossing for Raul Meireles only for the Portuguese midfielder to lack the control to finish.
However, Napoli began to settle and showed exactly why they have such a formidable away record this season, which has seen them win 4 games and draw three out of seven on their travels.
The warning signs began to emerge for Liverpool with the multi talented Slovakian midfielder Marek Hamsik beginning to pull the strings in the heart of the midfield. His exquisite through ball to Edinson Cavani opened up the Liverpool defence but the Uruguayan lacked the composure blazing his shot wildly over the bar.
Ezequiel Lavezzi then had a stunning shot that was inches past Pepe Reina’s post and it was to no great surprise when the winger gave the Italian’s a deserved lead just moments later.
Christian Poulsen’s misguided header gave Cavani the perfect chance to slip Lavezzi through and Napoli’s danger-man needed no second invitation as he steered the ball beyond Reina, it was a goal that the visitors had deserved.
Liverpool’s response was impressive and Poulsen nearly made amends when he found a defence splitting pass to David Ngog, but the Liverpool front-man could only put his shot wide of the post, it was Liverpool’s best chance of the half in what had so far been a frustrating evening.
Liverpool began the second half with Steven Gerrard replacing Milan Jovanovic as Liverpool attempted to retain their unbeaten record in the competition.
The captain’s mere presence seemed to lift Anfield and Liverpool began the second half with an increased tempo.
Suddenly the home side started to hassle this technically gifted Napoli side something which was evidently missing in the first half.
Their change in approach could and possibly should have paid off almost immediately and again it was Ngog who was presented with a fantastic opportunity.
The Frenchman found himself on the end of a cutback from the right hand side but his shot was well saved by Morgan De Sanctis from eight yards out.
Raul Meireles should have done better when he shot wide from eight yards out but the Liverpool pressure was growing and the home support wouldn’t have to wait long for an equalising goal.
That man Steven Gerrard jumped to the reds rescue once again but Napoli only had themselves to blame for some catastrophic defending.
Having dispossessed Jonjo Shelvy Napoli then made a complete mess of clearing their lines and a short back-pass to the goalkeeper was quickly latched onto by Gerrard who clawed the home side back into the match.
It was a thoroughly deserved equaliser after a dominant second half performance from Roy Hodgson’s side and there appeared only one winner from that moment on.
The decisive goal came just moments later and it was again from yet more joy from the flanks. Glen Johnson burst into the Napoli area at blistering pace and was subsequently tripped.
Man of the moment Steven Gerrard coolly slotted in the resulting penalty to set Liverpool on their way to a valuable three points.
Gerrard then completed his hat-trick to rub salt into Napoli’s wounds when he chipped the ball over the keeper after bursting though the non existent Napoli back-line to round of an inspirational individual performance and give Liverpool a deserved victory after a nervy first half.
Napoli had stunned the Anfield crowd by dominating the first half and had taken a 1-0 lead and arguably should have scored more against a lacklustre Liverpool side.
But Liverpool improved drastically in the second half and led by Gerrard produced a fine comeback to secure victory in front of new owner John Henry.
Roy Hodgson had one eye firmly on the weekend ahead of Napoli’s trip to Anfield in the Europa Cup as he rested both Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard ahead of Chelsea’s visit on Sunday.
Glen Johnson returned at right back following a four game absence whilst youngsters Jonjo Shelvey and Jay Spearing were both given a chance to impress and gain further experience in Europe.
Napoli had given Roy Hodgson’s side a stern test two weeks ago and they retained the same starting line-up from that game, in which Liverpool had successfully succeeded in stifling the Italians and consequently earned a hard fought 0-0 draw.
It was a bold formation from the Serie A side and their attacking purpose was evident with a 3-4-3 set up, a refreshing approach which signified an entertaining contest. .
Liverpool began with plenty of attacking intent and quickly exploited the flanks to some success, with the ever improving Milan Jovanovic crossing for Raul Meireles only for the Portuguese midfielder to lack the control to finish.
However, Napoli began to settle and showed exactly why they have such a formidable away record this season, which has seen them win 4 games and draw three out of seven on their travels.
The warning signs began to emerge for Liverpool with the multi talented Slovakian midfielder Marek Hamsik beginning to pull the strings in the heart of the midfield. His exquisite through ball to Edinson Cavani opened up the Liverpool defence but the Uruguayan lacked the composure blazing his shot wildly over the bar.
Ezequiel Lavezzi then had a stunning shot that was inches past Pepe Reina’s post and it was to no great surprise when the winger gave the Italian’s a deserved lead just moments later.
Christian Poulsen’s misguided header gave Cavani the perfect chance to slip Lavezzi through and Napoli’s danger-man needed no second invitation as he steered the ball beyond Reina, it was a goal that the visitors had deserved.
Liverpool’s response was impressive and Poulsen nearly made amends when he found a defence splitting pass to David Ngog, but the Liverpool front-man could only put his shot wide of the post, it was Liverpool’s best chance of the half in what had so far been a frustrating evening.
Liverpool began the second half with Steven Gerrard replacing Milan Jovanovic as Liverpool attempted to retain their unbeaten record in the competition.
The captain’s mere presence seemed to lift Anfield and Liverpool began the second half with an increased tempo.
Suddenly the home side started to hassle this technically gifted Napoli side something which was evidently missing in the first half.
Their change in approach could and possibly should have paid off almost immediately and again it was Ngog who was presented with a fantastic opportunity.
The Frenchman found himself on the end of a cutback from the right hand side but his shot was well saved by Morgan De Sanctis from eight yards out.
Raul Meireles should have done better when he shot wide from eight yards out but the Liverpool pressure was growing and the home support wouldn’t have to wait long for an equalising goal.
That man Steven Gerrard jumped to the reds rescue once again but Napoli only had themselves to blame for some catastrophic defending.
Having dispossessed Jonjo Shelvy Napoli then made a complete mess of clearing their lines and a short back-pass to the goalkeeper was quickly latched onto by Gerrard who clawed the home side back into the match.
It was a thoroughly deserved equaliser after a dominant second half performance from Roy Hodgson’s side and there appeared only one winner from that moment on.
The decisive goal came just moments later and it was again from yet more joy from the flanks. Glen Johnson burst into the Napoli area at blistering pace and was subsequently tripped.
Man of the moment Steven Gerrard coolly slotted in the resulting penalty to set Liverpool on their way to a valuable three points.
Gerrard then completed his hat-trick to rub salt into Napoli’s wounds when he chipped the ball over the keeper after bursting though the non existent Napoli back-line to round of an inspirational individual performance and give Liverpool a deserved victory after a nervy first half.
Unless a miracle happens........
Juve havent won a game in the Europa League.
Lets waits and see.Dark times if Juve dont qualify.
And they doing so well in Serie A. They lucky they deserved to lose against minnows Salzburg
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