Ancelotti: Liverpool will win Champions League trophy this season
Football
By
Waweru Titus
| Sep 18, 2019
Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti has reassured Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp that the Reds will retain the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League trophy, according to Omnisport.
Joking after beating Klopp’s side 2-0 in Italy on Tuesday night, Ancelotti reminded Klopp that Liverpool lost away to Napoli in the group stage following their 1-0 loss in last term's corresponding fixture. Liverpool went on to lift the Champions League title in 2018-19.
"I told him not to worry because if he loses here, he tends to go on and win the Champions League. I reassured him.
"It's always tough against Liverpool, from the first minute to the last. We had to sacrifice ourselves, but without losing our identity,” Ancelotti told Sky Sport Italia.
"We tried a bit too hard to play it out from the back and lost some dangerous balls, while they were aggressive in their pressing. The game was always in the balance, but I particularly appreciated the way we defended with the basics when it was still 0-0 and that's what allowed us to have those late chances.
"I want to see a team that believes in themselves and their quality. I really liked the way we played when we weren't in control. Llorente helped out, the players were tired and the first goal was from a long ball – which isn't our usual approach, but it's not an insult to do that sometimes. This team must know how to do everything.
"We brought in important players who improve the quality level of the squad and have different characteristics to what we had before. I have to keep them motivated and that's not easy, especially when UEFA still have this rule forcing you to keep a short bench and it's painful sending players to the stands,” Ancelotti added.
Dries Mertens and former Spurs forward Fernando Llorente scored late as holders Liverpool fell 2-0 at Napoli.
Mertens converted a penalty on 82 minutes and Llorente added a second in stoppage time.
The loss makes them (Liverpool) first reigning European champions to lose their opening game of the following campaign since AC Milan in 1994.
However, Liverpool, who sit top of the Premier League after five straight wins, remain favourites alongside Napoli to progress from Group E despite Salzburg's thrilling 6-2 win over Genk.