Liverpool 3-1 Napoli: Steven Gerrard hat-trick rescues Roy Hodgson after nightmare start

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.

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The Italians had stunned the Anfield crowd by dominating the first half and taking a 1-0 lead into the break, and arguably should have scored more against a lacklustre Liverpool side.

But the Reds 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 as he rested both Fernando Torres and Gerrard ahead of Chelsea’s visit on Sunday. Glen Johnson returned at right-back following a four game absence, while youngsters Jonjo Shelvey and Jay Spearing were both given a chance to impress and gain further experience in Europe.

Napoli had given Hodgson’s side a stern test two weeks ago and they retained the same starting line-up from that game, in which Liverpool had 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 setup, a refreshing approach that hinted at an entertaining contest.

Liverpool began with plenty of attacking intent and quickly exploited the flanks, 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 as they have won four and drawn three out of seven on their travels.

The warning signs began to emerge for Liverpool with the multi-talented Slovakian midfielder Marek Hamsik started to pull the strings in the heart of the midfield. His exquisite through ball to Edinson Cavani opened up the defence, but the Uruguayan lacked the composure blazing his shot wildly over the bar.  

Ezequiel Lavezzi then hit a stunning shot that flew 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.

Liverpool’s response was impressive and Poulsen nearly made amends when he found a defence-splitting pass to David Ngog, but the front-man could only put his shot wide of the post - the home team's best chance of what had hitherto been a frustrating evening.

Hodgson made a bold substitution at the break, bringing on Steven Gerrard for 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 the technically gifted Italians, something which was clearly 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.

Meireles should also have done better when he shot wide from eight yards out, but the Liverpool pressure was growing and the home support did not have to wait long for an equalising goal.

Liverpool's talismanic captain jumped to his side's rescue once again, but Napoli only had themselves to blame for some catastrophic defending.

Having dispossessed Shelvey, the Italians then made a complete mess of clearing their lines and a short backpass to De Sanctis was quickly latched onto by Gerrard who clawed the home side back into the match, despite the protests of the keeper.

It was a thoroughly deserved equaliser after a dominant restart from the Reds and there appeared only one winner from that moment on.

The second goal came just moments later and it was again from yet more joy from the flanks as Johnson burst into the Napoli area at blistering pace and was subsequently tripped. Man of the moment 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 being fed through the non-existent back-line by Lucas Leiva to round off an inspirational individual performance and give Liverpool a deserved victory after a nervy first half.