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As it happenedended1544566570

Liverpool vs Napoli as it happened– Mohamed Salah’s goal sends Reds into Champions League last 16

Re-live the action from Anfield as Liverpool reached the knockout stages

Harry Latham-Coyle
Tuesday 11 December 2018 16:57 GMT
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Liverpool v Napoli: Champions League match preview

Mohamed Salah scored a solo goal and Alisson produced a crucial late save as Liverpool fc beat Napoli 1-0 to clinch a place in the Champions League's knockout stage at the expense of the Italian side.

Salah shrugged off one defender, drifted past another with a superb feint, and delivered a low finish inside the near post from an acute angle for the winning goal in the 34th minute.

Liverpool came into the game knowing a 1-0 victory, or any other win by a two-goal margin, would guarantee a spot in the round of 16 as the English team looks to go one better than last season.

Paris Saint-Germain, who won 4-1 at Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday, advanced as Group C winner, and Napoli had to settle for third place and dropping into the Europa League for the second straight season.

It would have been Liverpool missing out had Alisson not produced a reflex save to deny Arkadiusz Milik in the second minute of stoppage time. Re-live the action below:

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If you'd prefer those team sheets in text form, your wish is my command, starting with Barcelona vs Tottenham:

Barcelona: Jasper Cillessen, Nelson Semedo, Thomas Vermaelen, Clement Lenglet, Juan Miranda, Ivan Rakitic, Carles Alena, Phillipe Coutinho, Arthur, Munir, Ousmane Dembele.

Spurs: Hugo Lloris, Kyle Walker-Peters, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Danny Rose, Harry Winks, Moussa Sissoko, Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli, Heung-min Son, Harry Kane.

Harry Latham-Coyle11 December 2018 19:00
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And here are the Liverpool-Napoli teams in text:

Liverpool: Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil Van Djik, Andrew Robertson, James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane

Napoli: David Ospina, Nikola Maksimovic, Raul Albiol, Kalidou Koulibaly, Mario Rui, Jose Callejon, Allan, Marek Hamsik, Fabian Ruiz, Dries Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne

Harry Latham-Coyle11 December 2018 19:03
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So no Lionel Messi, no Luis Suarez and a much-changed defence for Barcelona, including a left back making his Champions League debut at the tender age of 18.

That might send some confidence through the Tottenham team. Kick off is less than an hour away.

Harry Latham-Coyle11 December 2018 19:07
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Harry Latham-Coyle11 December 2018 19:11
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For a snazzier guide to the permutations for Liverpool tonight, The Independent's Northern Football Correspondent Mark Critchley has explored them for you:

Harry Latham-Coyle11 December 2018 19:15
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Update from the Camp Nou

Harry Latham-Coyle11 December 2018 19:25
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It is a big night for Kyle Walker-Peters, just 21, starting at right back in the Champions League at the Camp Nou. Walker-Peters was born within a couple of miles of White Hart Lane in Edmonton, and the England Under-21 international is highly rated by Spurs, though his opportunities have been limited by Kieran Trippier and Serge Aurier.

Harry Latham-Coyle11 December 2018 19:37
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Just about 15 minutes until kick off in Barcelona and at Anfield.

Liverpool live for nights like this under the lights, while Spurs may never have another chance as opportune as this to win at the Nou Camp.

Can both qualify for the knockout stages?

Harry Latham-Coyle11 December 2018 19:46
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The players are in the tunnel.

"You'll Never Walk Alone" never sounds better than on a weekday evening.

It's almost time for the Champions League.

Harry Latham-Coyle11 December 2018 19:56
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A repeat performance of Liverpool's anthem drowns out the Champions League anthem.

The home crowd are ready.

Harry Latham-Coyle11 December 2018 20:01

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