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Liverpool scraped into the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday night with a 1-0 win over Napoli at Anfield, and it was their defenders who impressed the most once again as the front three misfired.
Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah all struggled in front of goal, despite the Egyptian scoring a fantastic solo goal in the first half, but things could have been so much more comfortable for the home side.
With the group finely poised, Liverpool needed either a 1-0 win, or to be ahead by two clear goals at the end of 90 minutes if Napoli bagged. Fans of the club would have been hugely thankful then when Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson pulled off a fantastic save from Arkadiusz Milik in stoppage time.
However, it was another player in a Liverpool shirt who impressed the most on the night. Young right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has gone from strength to strength over the last year or so, and he put in one of his best Anfield performances against Napoli.
Jurgen Klopp though will be hoping that the injury that forced the 20-year-old off in the closing stages is not serious, as he is playing the football of his life at the moment.
Against Napoli, the Scouse right-back had an incredible 91 touches of the ball as he provided an outlet for the Liverpool midfield, and it was clear that he used this possession well as he created six chances – more than the whole of the opposition team altogether.
Defensively, Alexander-Arnold was part of an extremely tight back-four that kept their 13th clean sheet of the season from all competitions. His four tackles and two interceptions allowed the Reds to progress and Klopp will be hoping that he is back for the crunch clash with Manchester United on Sunday.