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Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp sent Anfield warning by Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti
CARLO ANCELOTTI says his Napoli side have the tools to defuse an electrifying night at Anfield insisting the pressure is on Liverpool to produce “a really big performance”.
The former Chelsea manager maintained his Group C leaders take a “small advantage” into a match Liverpool must win – either by 1-0 or by two clear goals – in order to progress.
And while he accepted Anfield will be rocking, he warned the home support his Italian side are confident they have what it takes to spoil the party.
“We have a small advantage. We have already made the cake and now we’re looking for someone to put the cherry on the cake,” he said.
“Anfield is a beautiful stadium. The best stadium in the world for atmosphere and the people are really passionate. To play here it’s really exciting.
There are a lot of Liverpool supporters but there will also be 3,000 Napoli supporters
“Can my team handle the atmosphere? I hope so. I will be telling them to go out and enjoy it and my players are positive.
“Everyone wants to play at one of the best stadiums in the world.
“Yes there are a lot of Liverpool supporters but there will also be 3,000 Napoli supporters here and many more watching around the world. We can draw on the first game against Liverpool in Naples.
“That has given us a lot of confidence and belief. We’d like to put in a repeat performance.”
A 90th-minute winner from Lorenzo Insigne in the first match between the two sides in early October was the first of three group phase away defeats which put Liverpool on the back foot.
And with Klopp’s men needing to tread a fine line between attack and defence, Ancelotti, whose side need a point to progress, warned that Napoli will be ready to hit them on the break if they commit too far forward.
“We all know how they play at home with the intensity but we will try to maintain a high level of intensity,” said the three-times Champions League winning manager.
“We haven’t come here to sit back but to play our own game. We know what’s at stake.
“This is the very last game in the group. We’ve played very well and shown a lot of personality.
“Liverpool are playing at home in front of a fantastic support. Klopp knows they need to put in a really big performance to get the result they need.”