Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah proved himself indispensable again to the Liverpool cause on Tuesday night in the UEFA Champions League.
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Salah, Nunez outshine Osimhen but Napoli pip Liverpool to top-of-the-table spot
Salah equaled Steven Gerrard's European record while Napoli saw their 13-game winning run cut short on Tuesday night
Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez were the goalscorers in Liverpool's win over Napoli (Twitter)
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Salah bagged the first goal of the match as Liverpool defeated Italian side Napoli 2-0 at the Anfield Stadium in their final group match of the 2022/23 season.
It was Salah's third goal in three consecutive matches and his 11th of the season, while Napoli's marksman Victor Osimhen was denied a goal in his fourth straight game since he returned from injury.
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Salah, Nunez score scrappy goals in Liverpool win
Napoli were chasing their 14th consecutive victory in all competitions since the start of the 2023/23 season and were quite confident of attaining their target after defeating Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool in the first leg.
Nigeria's Victor Osimhen celebrates with Napoli teammate and Georgia international Kvicha Kvaratskhelia
AFP
Napoli's manager started with a front three of Nigerian striker Osimhen, Italian forward Matteo Politano, and Georgian new signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia while Klopp named Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Curtis Jones as his preferred forward trio.
With both sides already guaranteed qualification for the knockout stages, it was a cagey affair in the first half as both sides weighed and matched each other stride for stride.
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With the match heading towards a goalless draw, Liverpool's talisman Salah was on hand to turn in a saved Darwin Nunez header in the 85th minute to give the Reds the lead.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool shoots to score against Napoli on September 7, 2022.
AFP
Not to be robbed of a goal from an explosive cameo appearance, Nunez scored the second goal of the game, also tapping in a Virgil van Dijk saved header from close range in the eighth minute of added time.
Despite losing at Anfield Stadium, Napoli still finished top of Group A with five (5) wins and one (1) defeat but piping Liverpool through the head-to-head rule.
Victor Osimhen stats vs Liverpool
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Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen was selected to lead the line against Liverpool but the 23-year-old was not able to exert as much influence on the game as he did during the first leg.
The Nigeria international failed to record any shot on target against Liverpool, managing to tally only one (1) shot off target and no dribbles either.
Victor Osimhen (L) have so far scored five goals in nine games in all competitions for the Napoli this season, and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia have made 15-goal contributions in 15 games.
Getty Images
Osimhen made up for a lack of goalmouth action with great link-up play, playing one (1) key pass, and finding his target with his one apiece cross and long ball.
The combative Napoli striker also put in a shift in helping to stem the attacking tide of Liverpool, contesting 15 duels and putting in two (2) tackles before he was replaced by Giovanni Simeone in the 88th minute.
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Victor Osimhen was too fast for the Liverpool defence
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Having seen their 13-game winning streak come to an end, Napoli would be hoping to get back on the winning trail again when they visit the Gewiss Stadium on Saturday, November 5 to take on Atalanta.
Meanwhile, Liverpool will travel to North London to take on Antonio Conte's Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, November 6.
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