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Champions League | Liverpool and Chelsea left requiring final-day points

Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Napoli at Anfield means they will still need to earn at least a draw in...



Champions League | Liverpool a...
Soccer

Champions League | Liverpool and Chelsea left requiring final-day points

Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Napoli at Anfield means they will still need to earn at least a draw in their final Champions League group games.

Their penultimate group tie on Wednesday night came against a Napoli side that head beaten the Reds on Match-Day 1.

And it was Carlo Ancelotti's side that drew first blood as Dries Mertens gave Napoli the lead after 21 minutes.

The Belgian forward latched onto a through-ball before firing an excellent shot beyond Liverpool's goalkeeper from the tightest of angles into the far corner.

However, Dejan Lovren headed Liverpool's leveller on 64 minutes.

However, that point isn't enough for Jurgen Klopp's side to qualify for the knockout stages with a game to spare. They are still top of the group on 10 points, one clear of Napoli.

But Red Bull Salzburg's 4-1 win at Genk puts the Austrian side three points adrift of the summit.

A draw for Liverpool will be enough to progress when they face Red Bull on Match-Day 6. Given that Red Bull scored three away goals in losing 4-3 at Anfield earlier in the group, a 1-0 win - or better - for them would pip Klopp's team on away goals.

And if Napoli were to see off Genk at the same time in two weeks, Liverpool would slip to third. However, the Premier League side would be favourites to get at least a draw.

Elsewhere

Chelsea were involved in a thriller in the 5.55pm kick off at Valencia. Carlos Soler gave the La Liga side a 40th minute lead. But Chelsea were level just one minute later through Mateo Kovacic.

Frank Lampard's team added to that five minutes after half-time as Christian Pulisic made it 2-1.

Valencia captain Dani Parejo then missed a penalty with half an hour to go as Chelsea hung on.

But with eight minutes to go, Daniel Wass' cross found its way into the Chelsea net as Valencia made it 2-2. Los Che had enough clear-cut chances to win. But the draw means both sides remain in contention for a knockout stage place heading into the final match-day.

Both teams are on eight points, two behind leaders Ajax who won 2-0 at Lille. Valencia visit Ajax, knowing a win will see them pip both Ajax and Chelsea.

The Blues will also advance should they beat Lille at Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile, Barcelona qualified for the last-16 after a 3-1 home win over Borussia Dortmund. Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann shared the Barca goals.

Inter Milan took advantage of that Dortmund Camp Nou defeat. A 3-1 win at Slavia Prague puts them level on points with the Germans ahead of the final match-day. The head-to-head record is currently in Inter's favour before they welcome Barcelona to the San Siro.

Elsewhere, RB Leipzig drew 2-2 with Benfica to qualify from Group G. Zenit St Petersburg also moved level on points with Lyon after a 2-0 win in their Russian head-to-head.


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Ajax Barcelona Champions League Chelsea Football Liverpool Napoli Premier League Red Bull Salzburg Valencia