Carlo Ancelotti has promised that his side will attack Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday, despite not needing a win to qualify for the Champions League knock-out stages at the expense of their opponents.
Napoli will travel to Anfield unbeaten as Group C’s leaders, having taken nine points from two wins and three draws, though they are not yet guaranteed a place in the next round.
A draw will be enough to see Napoli through, while Liverpool must beat their visitors 1-0 or by at least a two-goal margin in order to be sure of progressing.
Even so, Ancelotti is not planning to defend and promised more the same aggressive counter-attacking which undid Liverpool during their 1-0 defeat to Napoli in October.
“We know how they play particularly when they play at home, with intensity, but I know what we will do,” the former Chelsea manager said.
“We will try to maintain a high level of intensity for as long as possible. We haven’t come to sit back. We’ve come here to play our own game, which is what we’ve always done.
“Sometimes we’ve won, sometimes we’ve lost, sometimes we’ve drawn but the fact of the matter is that there are two important phases in football – attack and defence. We need to get both of them right.”
Liverpool are unbeaten at Anfield in European competition since October 2014, when Real Madrid comfortably won 3-0.
“Anfield is a beautiful stadium. The atmosphere is the best in the world. The people are really passionate,” he said.
“For everyone, but also for the players it’s really nice to be here and play this kind of game. I hope that my players are positive. Everyone wants to play in one of the best stadium atmospheres in the world.
“It is true that there are a lot of Liverpool supporters, but there are 3,000 Napoli supporters, and also 40 million around the world that support us. We have to also consider this.”
Napoli dominated Liverpool in Naples two months ago and deservedly found a late winner through Lorenzo Insigne.
“We know exactly what is at stake,” he said.
“This is the very last game in a group that has been tough and competitive. We have played very well, we have shown character, personality and a lot of belief.
Click below to follow us for more football updates…
Facebook – @Livesoccerupdates
Twitter – @Lsoccerupdates
Instagram – @Lsoccerupdates
Would you like to receive football updates for free?
WhatsApp the word NEWS to + 2349034642498
“We have learned from the first game but we know that tomorrow is going to be another game and we will go out there and start again.”
