Europa League
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3 vs 1
Played
November 4, 2010 8:05 PM GMT
Anfield — Liverpool
Referee:‬ F. Fautrel‎
Attendance:‬ 33892‎
 
76′ Steven Gerrard
Ezequiel Lavezzi 28′
88′ (PG) Steven Gerrard
 
89′ Steven Gerrard
 
 
So there you have it. Liverpool come from 1-0 down to win 3-1 thanks to three goals from their captain. That should keep the pressure off Roy Hodgson as Liverpool go three points clear at the top of Group K. Hope you enjoyed the commentary. Come back soon!
 
90′ +3
FULL TIME! Liverpool run out 3-1 winners after Steven Gerrard's second-half hattrick saves his club.
 
90′
Yellow Card Edinson Cavani
 
90′
The sound is deafening at Anfield now with a mocking "You're not singing anymore" chant to the glum faces of the Napoli support.
 
89′
Goal Steven Gerrard
 
89′
GERRARD SCORES AGAIN!! HATTRICK FOR THE CAPTAIN!! Lucas gets stuck in with a brilliant challenge on Pazienza as the midfielder backtracks. The loose ball falls to Gerrard who simply runs through on goal and chips the ball over the keeper. Super-sub Gerrard with a brilliant 45 minute cameo.
 
88′
Penalty Goal Steven Gerrard
 
87′
PENALTY TO LIVERPOOL!!! GERRARD SCORES!!!! Glen Johnson drives into the area and is tripped by Aronica. Easy for the referee and captain Gerrard scores his second of the night by powering the ball low into the bottom left corner.
 
84′
Substitution Marek Hamsik Hassan Yebda
 
83′
Lucas now replaces Ngog as Hodgson looks to be happy with a draw.
 
82′
Substitution David Ngog Lucas
 
81′
Cavani tries his luck from the left-hand corner of the area but his effort is straight at Reina. Cavani has done nothing in the second half.
 
79′
Salvatore Aronica really should have been sent off for a horrible challenge on Ngog. Two-footed and studs up. Infact, Ngog is even luckier to still be walking.
 
79′
Liverpool, unsurprisingly, growing with confidence again after a lacklustre 15 minutes before the goal and Jonjo Shelvey tries he luck from 25 yards but his effort goes wide.
 
77′
"Gerrard to the rescue" has to be one of the most over-used sentences in football. I prefer "if in doubt, kick it out", but that's just me.
 
76′
Yellow Card Morgan De Sanctis
 
76′
Goal Steven Gerrard
 
75′
GOAL LIVERPOOL!!!!!!!GERRARD STEALS IN TO EQUALISE!!! Shelvey prowls with the ball around the area but as he enters he is dispossed, with the defender managing to play it into the path of the Liverpool captain instead back to his goalkeeper and the Gerrard slides in to flick it over the line. Life-line for Liverpool.
 
71′
Steven Gerrard stands menacingly over a freekick just outside the area but his effort bounces just wide as Anfield, in unison, vent their frustration.
 
68′
A Napoli fan is seen holding up a picture of Diego Maradona in the crowd. Liverpool could do with his finishing right about now after that horrendous miss by Meireles. Also, the Argentinian is openly looking for a job in the Premier League. Are you listening Roy Hodgson?
 
67′
Yellow Card Hugo Armando Campagnaro
 
67′
Yellow Card Sotirios Kyrgiakos
 
66′
Meireles really should have scored there! Ngog brings down a ball from Gerrard inside the area, cuts inside and finds Meireles but the midfielder manages to put it the wrong side of the post from five yards. John W Henry shakes his head to give us an answer to my previous question.
 
65′
Substitution Christian Poulsen Nathan Eccleston
 
64′
Both teams struggling to create anything in the final third as the goalkeepers exhange passes. Another youngster for Liverpool has just come on as Eccleston replaces Poulson. That is the first time I've mentioned Poulson, read into that what you will.
 
60′
Sorry that should be "soccer game" shouldn't it. Back to on-the-pitch action... not a lot going on as both teams vie for possession in a scrappy period.
 
59′
New owner John W Henry is also in attendance tonight, enjoying his second (or is it third?) ever football game. I wonder if he is enjoying the experience.
 
57′
Damien Comolli is shown sitting in the stand, possibly pondering who he is going to set his sights on in his new role as 'Director of Football Strategy'. What that means I don't know but if anyone does, answers on a postcard please.
 
56′
Liverpool are now stroking the ball around midfield as they look for an opening. Much improved are Liverpool and you have to credit that to Gerrard.
 
53′
...and Liverpool's deliveries at set-pieces have improved no end now the England international is now stepping over the ball.
 
51′
Gerrard does what ge does best by powering into the Napoli area to set up an attack. Shelvey picks up the ball and find Ngog with a lovely pull back inside the area but Ngog's effort is blocked by the sprawling De Sanctis. Possibly should have scored but there is no doubt that Liverpool has been lifted by Gerrard's introduction.
 
49′
Napoli not giving up just yet though as they work a potential Liverpool attack into a corner for themselves and the delivery finds it way into the six-yard box but still evades everyone as Johnson does enough to put off Cavani.
 
47′
Yellow Card Andrea Dossena
 
47′
Meireles has moved to the left with Gerrard taking up a position just behind Ngog.
 
46′
Substitution Milan Jovanović Steven Gerrard
 
46′
...and Napoli get the match back underway as Liverpool search for an equaliser with Steven Gerrard replacing Jovanovic. Surprising that as Jovanovic had impressed me but Liverpool are in dire need of their captain.
 
 
It would appear that Steven Gerrard is warming up so expect to see him come on as a substitute very soon. Either that, or he just fancies a kickabout with the Liverpool kit on... Confirmation when we get it.
 
45′
HALF TIME! The referee prompty brings an end to the first half with Napoli 1-0 up thanks to a lovely finish from Lavezzi.
 
44′
The action dies down a little as the first half whistle approaches with all the action being compacted into a scrappy midfield battle.
 
42′
I have just realised how many tattoos there are on display at Anfield tonight. Meireles, Jonhson, Lavezzi to name just three. Manly.
 
39′
Jonjo Shelvey gets stuck into the action again by whipping in a dangerous freekick, but Napoli easily clear. The quality of delivery from Liverpool is really letting them down so far.
 
37′
Napoli haven't shown any sign of extending their lead since scoring and it really is all Liverpool as Ngog and Johnson combine well on the edge of the area and the latter sets himself before attempting to bend the ball past De Sanctis. Good effort but not enough power.
 
35′
Liverpool have upped their game since going behind which has to be applauded. Their heads haven't dropped and Meireles proves this by powering into the Napoli area but his hurried shot from the angle goes over the bar.
 
32′
Jovanovic again collects the ball down the left flank and skips past Campagnaro, but hesitates as he sets himself to deliver a cross and the Napoli defenders get back in time to head clear.
 
30′
Oooooo, Ngog really should have done better. He recieves a defence-splitting ball from Meireles and as he goes to shoot he slips slightly and the ball goes harmly past the post. Possibly put off my the Napoli defender.
 
28′
Goal Ezequiel Lavezzi
 
28′
Unfortunate for Jonjo Shelvey who managed to head the ball to Cavani, who in turn laid it on a plate for Lavezzi to score. I bet that wasn't the first mention he wanted tonight.
 
28′
GOAL NAPOLI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lavezzi, who was unlucky a couple of minutes ago with a stinging shot, picks up a headed through ball from Cavani, keeps his cool and slots past Reina. Deserved.
 
26′
Napoli really growing in confidence now as they swap flanks with ease as Liverpool desperately try and get a foot on the ball and, look who it is, Jay Spearing gets a brilliant challenge in to put the ball into touch.
 
25′
Yellow Card Glen Johnson
 
24′
Is it really necessary for Liverpool to play 4-5-1 at home against Napoli. Napoli are playing 4-4-2 afterall... and Napoli show me why as I type as Cavani and Lavezzi combine well yet again and Lavezzi finds room for a shot so he tries he luck and is unlucky to see it whizz narrowly past the post. Close call for Liverpool, a warning shot if ever I've seen one.
 
22′
Glen Johnson sells Dossena short with a nutmug and the England defender powers forward before laying it off to Ngog on the edge of the area but the striker is a little too hurried with his shot and doesn't connect well with the ball, resulting in an easy save for De Sanctis.
 
20′
Lavezzi and Cavani combine well again as the former put the latter into a good position inside the area with another over-the-top ball but Cavani can only blast the ball over when he really should have done better. His manager agrees by the looks of it aswell.
 
18′
Another chance is halted at the last minute as Cavani picks up a great long ball and kills it dead with his first touch and after a couple of shoulder drops and wiggles of the hip, Liverpool get it clear with Konchesky.
 
16′
For those wondering how Jay Spearing and Jonjo Shelvey are getting on, to be honest they haven't got into the game as of yet. Most of the play is coming down the left-flank for Liverpool. Don't you fret though, I'll keep you all posted.
 
14′
Napoli getting some possession of their own in now and ex-Liverpool defender Dossena puts a lovely first-time pass from the right-hand side of the penalty area nearly on a plate for the galloping Cavani but Reina comes out quickly to gobble up the ball (not literally).
 
11′
Liverpool come roaring but though and it's that man Jovanovic storming down the left flank like a slower, balder Gareth Bale and his delivery into Meireles has a little too much power on it and the chance is gone.
 
9′
Napoli getting into their stride however and Cavani looks threatening as he runs onto clever lay-off from Lavezzi but the striker can't reproduce his Serie A form and blazes the shot 10 yards wide (and even that's being generous).
 
7′
Kyrgiakos with the first real attempt at goal from Liverpool. A corner is floated right onto the defenders head, but he gets too underneath it and heads the ball up and over the bar.
 
5′
Greg Stobart updates us from Anfield: "Slightly intimidating atmosphere outside Anfield tonight after Liverpool supporters were stabbed in Naples. Huge police presence and helicopters in the sky but you forget about all of that when you hear the Kop sing You'll Never Walk Alone with John W Henry in attendance for the first time."
 
4′
Liverpool definitely enjoying the stronger start here as again Jovanovic puts the ball into the area but this time Napoli keeper De Sanctis punches away.
 
2′
Konchesky redeems himself straight away however by playing a lovely ball over the top for Jovanovic to run onto and whip a ball into the box. Unfortunately the delivery is behind the prowling Ngog and the chance is gone.
 
1′
...and Liverpool get the game underway. Konchesky immediately loses possession and then gives away a freekick.
 
 
Right then, the teams are out and standing patiently while the PA system pumps out music that can stir a man's soul so we are only minutes away from kick-off here.
 
 
Roy Hodgson has rested Fernando Torres and shown Steven Gerrard the bench, no doubt with one eye on the clash with Chelsea at the weekend. Midfield youngsters Jonjo Shelvey and Jay Spearing come in, along with right-back Glen Johnson, who returns after a four game absence. Napoli name the same side that drew 0-0 with Liverpool last time out.
 
 
Talking of who Hodgson has picked, here is the Liverpool line-up: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Konchesky; Poulsen, Spearing; Meireles, Shelvey, Jovanovic; Ngog. Subs: Hansen, Gerrard, Lucas, Wilson, Kelly, Skrtel, Eccleston. and here is Napoli's: De Sanctis; Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica, Maggio; Pazienza, Gargano, Dossena, Hamsik; Lavezzi, Cavani. Subs: Gianello, Grava, Dumitru, Santacroce, Zuniga, Yebda, Sosa.
 
 
Hello and welcome to Goal.com's live commentary of Liverpool vs Napoli in Group K of the Europa League. My name is Alex Young and I'll be taking you through until full-time. These sides met two weeks ago in Naples where they played out a rather dull 0-0 draw and by the look of the sides, Hodgson will be happy will the same result.
 
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