Naples (Italy) (AFP)

England, who had a perfect start to the season in the English league, made a bad start to defending his title in the Champions League by losing 2-0 on Tuesday in Naples, which had already been the case last season. .

Perfect on their island with five wins in five games, Jürgen Klopp's men had their first hitch and their first loss of the season at the foot of Vesuvius.

Both teams are the big favorites of Group E and this setback does not put Liverpool at risk, even if Salzburg, which swept Genk 6-2, has taken the lead.

The Reds will find all the less reason to worry that they have already been there last season, in a hen higher that also hosted the Paris SG. And that did not stop them from triumphing in May in Kiev.

Last year, Napoli won just 1-0 on a late-goal Insignia goal, one night when Liverpool was far from looking like a European champion.

The English were a lot better on Tuesday and when the match fell in the last 10 minutes, they seemed cooler and more dangerous and the San Paolo pushed more to give his courage than to go for victory.

But Callejon held the time for a final sprint, hooked into the area and stumbled on Robertson, sanctioned by a penalty. Mertens, who is only two goals from the Neapolitan Maradona total, transformed him and Naples held his success (1-0, 82nd).

It was then confirmed by the goal of Llorente, on a disagreement between Van Dijk, Robertson and goalkeeper Adrian, the replacement of Alisson, yet remarkable.

- impressive Koulibaly -

Monday at a press conference, Llorente, beaten in the final last year with Tottenham, had spoken of desire for revenge but above all, the desire of the Neapolitans to show that they were at the level.

He had both and this convincing success against the European champion is also one for Carlo Ancelotti, the great maestro of the Champions League, who had prepared his business well.

After looking for balance at the beginning of the season (a 4-3 win and a loss on the same score), the Italian technician has found two games and his team does not take more goals.

It owes partly to Kalidou Koulibaly, still stunning on Tuesday and even more impressive than Virgil Van Dijk, which is a beautiful business card.

But this solidity found was not at the expense of the offensive game and even before scoring, Naples had overall had the best opportunities in a long balanced and often intense match.

Fabian Ruiz scored twice against Adrian, who led a 49th-minute save on a Mertens cover.

Opposite, Salah, at the beginning of the game especially, and Mané lit a few wicks. Firmino pointed to him with a dangerous head (44th).

"I do not know if the teams will play differently against us, I had never won the C1 before," said Klopp Monday. From now on he knows it. Liverpool is a target and Naples has been on target.

© 2019 AFP