Liverpool have earned a place in the Champions League last 16 with a 1-0 victory over Napoli on Tuesday night.
Jurgen Klopp's team needed to win with a clean sheet or by a two-goal margin, and Mohamed Salah's first-half effort proved enough for Liverpool to finish as runners-up in Group C.
Liverpool should have won by a wider margin, and the home side were almost made to pay as Arkadiusz Milik was superbly denied by Alisson in stoppage time.
Find out how all of the action unfolded in the North-West courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
7.00pmHello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Champions League between Liverpool and Napoli. The Merseyside giants may sit top of the Premier League table, but a two-goal victory is required to guarantee their progress through to the last 16 of this competition.
7.02pmWithout further ado, let's take a look at the two starting lineups, beginning with the home side.
7.05pmLIVERPOOL XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Mane
LIVERPOOL SUBSTITUTES: Mignolet, Fabinho, Lovren, Keita, Sturridge, Shaqiri, Origi
7.08pmNAPOLI XI: Ospina; Maksimovic, Albiol, Koulibaly, Rui; Callejon, Allam, Hamsik, Ruiz, Insigne; Mertens
NAPOLI SUBSTITUTES: Ounas, Zielinski, Hysaj, Karnezis, Ghoulam, Diawara, Milik
7.09pmLet's start by taking a look at the Liverpool side as Jurgen Klopp opts to make changes to his defence, midfield and attack. The most notable alteration sees Sadio Mane brought back into the team at the expense of Xherdan Shaqiri.
7.10pmTrent Alexander-Arnold has found himself in and out of the side in recent weeks but the young right-back returns this evening. James Milner had been used in that position at the weekend, but the Englishman returns to the centre of the park.
7.12pmJordan Henderson has also been handed a starting role in midfield, with Fabinho and Naby Keita both dropping down to the substitutes' bench. It wouldn't have been a surprise had one of the summer signings missed out this evening, but it will be regarded as one now that each of the duo are only selected among the replacements.
7.14pmThe rest of the bench is as expected with each of Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge acting as options for later in the contest.
7.16pmThere are few surprises with Carlo Ancelotti's team, with the Italian selecting the players who have had the most involvement throughout the group stages. Arkadiusz Milik may feel hard done by, however, given his recent domestic form.
7.18pmEight of tonight's team have featured in each of the other five matches in this group, while Nikola Maksimovic and Marek Hamsik have missed just the one match. This is an extremely settled and united side.
7.20pmArsenal loanee David Ospina takes his place between the sticks. The Colombian has already made 13 outings in all competitions this season, just eight less than he made throughout the entire last campaign at the Gunners.
7.22pmElseid Hysaj, Piotr Zielinski and Aamadou Diawara have all been named on the Napoli bench. Each of the trio have been linked with a move to the Premier League over the past six months.
7.24pmAfter three Champions League defeats on the road, Klopp will undoubtedly be grateful to be playing at Anfield tonight.
🙌 Klopp on the Anfield effect. 🎚#UCL #LIVNAP pic.twitter.com/5TSVlKkSHf— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 11, 2018
7.26pmRight then, it's permutations time. Bare with us because it's complicated. A two-goal victory will ensure that Liverpool remain in this competition for the knockout phase, while a 1-0 triumph will also be good enough. However, a one-goal triumph with Napoli having got on the scoresheet will lead to Napoli finishing ahead of Liverpool.
7.28pmA victory by any scoreline will only prove enough if Paris Saint-Germain fail to defeat Red Star Belgrade. However, the given the gulf in class and experience between those two clubs, Liverpool will acknowledge that they simply have to concentrate on trying to register a convincing win in the North-West of England.
7.30pmLiverpool have been in free-scoring form in recent weeks, but Klopp's side failed to register a single shot on target when they faced Napoli in Italy. That must change this evening.
7.32pmThe record books suggest that Liverpool will perform better than the previous contest. Thirteen wins and five draws have been recorded in their last 18 outings at Anfield in a European competition.
7.34pmA win with a clean sheet would be enough for Liverpool tonight, but the bigger clubs have had success in the final third at Anfield this season. Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea both scored twice, while Manchester City could have left with a 1-0 win had Riyad Mahrez been able to net a penalty.
7.36pmThere has been much talk of Salah being back to his best, but it's worth remembering that the Egyptian had only netted three times in two months before scoring a hat-trick against Bournemouth at the weekend.
7.38pmRemarkably, Liverpool have already won four penalties in this competition during the current campaign. They could do with a helping hand from the spot tonight.
7.40pmNapoli currently sit top of the group but the Italian giants have failed to win any of their last six matches away from home in the Champions League.
7.42pmThat said, Napoli have made the trip to England having put together a 12-match unbeaten streak in all competition, with their only defeat in 17 outings coming away at Juventus.
7.44pmThere has been much talk about the threat offered by Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne, but Milik could become the danger man if he is introduced later in the contest. The Pole has netted three goals in his last 98 minutes of football.
7.46pmPREDICTION! It is occasions like these which have earned Anfield the reputation of being one of the great European stadiums, and it is sure to be rocking for this match. The game is balanced on a knife edge, but we're backing Liverpool to get the win they need to progress. Liverpool to prevail by a 2-0 scoreline.
7.48pmHEAD TO HEAD! Tonight's match represents just the fourth competitive meeting between the two clubs, and both sides have registered one win apiece.
7.50pmNapoli emerged victorious in Naples earlier in the group but back in 2010-11, a hat-trick from Steven Gerrard earned Liverpool a 3-1 success at Anfield in the Europa League.
7.52pmHowever, the teams did meet in a friendly as recently as August, with Liverpool recording a dominant 5-0 win. What they would give for the same result this evening!
7.54pmBefore we get going, a reminder that you can also follow Tottenham Hotspur's encounter against Barcelona at Camp Nou by clicking here. Spurs are also likely to require a positive result this evening.
7.56pmIt's time for the two teams to start making their way out at Anfield. You don't need me to tell you that Liverpool's famous home is absolutely rocking. It's time for 'You'll Never Walk Alone'...
7.58pmA reminder of the two starting lineups...
LIVERPOOL XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Mane
NAPOLI XI: Ospina; Maksimovic, Albiol, Koulibaly, Rui; Callejon, Allam, Hamsik, Ruiz, Insigne; Mertens
1 minKICKOFF: Liverpool get us underway.
2 minNapoli have had the better of the opening couple of minutes. The visitors have seen more of the ball, and are pressing high up the pitch to put the pressure on their hosts.
4 minI tell you what, Napoli have started really sharply. They almost work a chance from left to right, only for Robertson to get the interception in at the right moment.
6 minLiverpool have started to do a bit of pressing themselves and it forces Napoli into a mistake. It's going to be that kind of game I think. A fast tempo with pressure being applied at the right moments.
7 minNapoli push forward again but Liverpool break and they should be ahead. Robertson's cross to Salah is sensational but rather than shoot first time, the winger instead tries to take a touch around 12 yards out but it's heavy and the ball runs through to Ospina.
9 minCHANCE! Two chances inside a minute, one for either side. Hamsik fires over in front of the Kop after being found at the edge of the area by Mertens while at the other end, Milner heads over at the back post.
11 minIt's been a promising opening from both sides. I certainly cannot see this ending goalless. Napoli aren't here to defend.
13 minYELLOW CARD! Van Dijk wins the ball on the halfway line and catches Mertens slightly with his follow-through. The referee hands out a booking. Van Dijk would miss the first leg of any last-16 tie.
15 minLATEST! Paris Saint-Germain have taken the lead against Red Star Belgrade. It's a goal which only increases the pressure on Liverpool.
17 minThere has been nothing more in the way of chances, which obviously suits Napoli right now. Both teams are still full of intent though.
19 minLiverpool have had more of the ball over the last couple of minutes. They haven't taken full control of this match, but they are at least forcing Napoli to do more chasing than they were previously doing.
22 minDISALLOWED GOAL! Liverpool have the ball in the net as Mane converts a Firmino cross at the back post, but the Senegalese is one of three players offside in the middle. Still more promising signs from the home side.
23 minThe pressure continues with Liverpool looking to get down either side, but the final ball is not always what it should be. Napoli are sometimes getting outnumbered now.
25 minBack come Napoli who win a corner after Van Dijk is forced into a clearance at the back post. The resulting set piece causes problems in the six-yard box before Liverpool are able to clear.
27 minLiverpool go back on the offensive but Napoli are able to win a free kick for a foul on Ospina. There is no foul, however. The goalkeeper instigates the contact!
29 minNot much to add over the last couple of minutes, but the tension is building inside Anfield. The longer this goes without Liverpool finding the back of the net, the defence knows that they cannot afford a mistake at the back.
31 minLiverpool are still probing away but Napoli are doing an effective job in keeping their hosts away from the centre of the penalty area.
32 minSHOT! Henderson tries his luck from around 25 yards out, but the midfielder drags a low shot wide of the post. Ospina had it covered.
34 minGOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Napoli (Mohamed Salah)
34 minLiverpool take the lead and it's another stunner from Salah! The winger spins Rui to advance into the penalty area and although he is forced wide by Koulibaly, the Egyptian somehow finds a way past Ospina at the near post!
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36 minAnfield erupted after that goal was scored and the noise has continued. Liverpool need to remain on top. As it stands, they are heading through but there is a long way to go.
37 minSHOT! Napoli have wasted no time in going onto the offensive and Ruiz should do a lot better when being given the ball on the left-hand side of the penalty area. Instead, a shot is dragged wide of the far post.
39 minLATEST! A reminder that it is still 1-0 to PSG. You'd expect the French giants to stay ahead in that game, barring a Red Star miracle.
41 minYELLOW CARD! Koulibaly goes into the book for catching the boot of Salah, who has picked up a knock. He will be ok to continue, but that looked a sore one.
43 minThere are just two minutes to go in this half and now it is all about Liverpool trying to get to half time. PSG have double their advantage in Belgrade.
45 minNapoli appear to have accepted facing a 1-0 deficit at the break because their play has slowed down. They have to be wary of conceding a second. There will be three minutes of added-on time.
45+2 minSHOT! Mertens has just attempted a volley from 40 yards out. It's not a bad effort, but the ball goes harmlessly wide.
45+3 minHALF TIME: Liverpool 1-0 Napoli
8.54pmThe half-time whistle goes at Anfield and Liverpool successfully make it to the break with a 1-0 lead. Klopp's side have not had it all their own way, but Salah's goal is currently taking his team through to the last 16.
9.00pmSalah's goal came out of nothing. Napoli would have expected the attacker to hold up the ball on the edge of the area but instead, the Egyptian turned and fired a shot inside the near post from an acute angle with Koulibaly unable to get close enough to the ball.
46 minNapoli get us back underway.
48 minLiverpool win a couple of corners at the start of this second half but both deliveries from Milner are easily dealt with by the visitors.
50 minSHOT! Salah picks out Wijnaldum with the most delicate of floated passes, but the Dutchman's volley is ambitious to say the least and it's no surprise that it is miscued wide.
51 minOFF THE POST! Liverpool look good at the start of this second half. Salah is given the chance to run at a defender inside the area, but a shot towards the near post clips the outside of the near post and goes wide.
53 minKlopp will be delighted with the start to this second half, but Liverpool have to strike the right balance between attack and defence. They are in control, but that could soon change.
55 minYou can feel that the crowd are on edge. A second Liverpool goal does not change a whole lot with Napoli needing to score regardless, but the home fans want their side to push on.
57 minCHANCE! Half a chance for Napoli. An outswinging corner finds the head of Albiol, but the defender cannot get enough power on his header and the ball goes straight at Alisson.
58 minCHANCE! Firmino is presented with a headed chance from open play at the other end but although the Brazilian gets plenty of power on his effort, it's straight at Ospina.
59 minSHOT! Where did this come from?! Van Dijk tries his luck from 40 yards and the ball only just goes wide of the target.
61 minSHOT! Henderson is the next Liverpool player to try his luck, but a volley from 25 yards is comfortably saved by Ospina. Decent strike, though.
62 minSUBSTITUTION! Napoli make a change with Zielinski being introduced for Ruiz.
63 minCHANCE! Liverpool really want this second goal. Milner cuts inside from the left and only has his eyes on a shot on goal, but the ball is curled marginally wide of the far post.
65 minI'm surprised that Liverpool are continuing to play at such a pace, but they may feel that this game is there for the taking. Napoli haven't offered much since the restart.
67 minSUBSTITUTION! Napoli move to make a second alteration with Milik replacing Mertens.
69 minSHOT! He's more than capable, but Alexander-Arnold probably doesn't need to shoot from 35 yards at this stage. He does, and it's deflected into the hands of Ospina.
70 minSUBSTITUTION! Ancelotti makes his third and final substitution with Ghoulam coming on for Rui.
72 minNapoli have done much better over the past couple of minutes. Ghoulam is effectively playing as a left wing-back. This is going to take a big defensive effort from Liverpool. They may as well look to keep their clean sheet rather than push for a second.
74 minSHOT! More good play down the left leads to Milik teeing up Zielinski, but the midfielder fires well over the crossbar under pressure from a defender.
75 minCHANCE! Salah gets in behind the Napoli defence and manages to get round Ospina, despite a touch from the goalkeeper. The forward then attempts to lob the stopper, who is able to palm the ball away. There was a player on the line.
77 minCHANCE! So close to 2-0. Robertson gets into the penalty area and picks out Mane who is waiting around 10 yards out. The Senegalese makes good contact, but Ospina sticks out a leg to keep the ball from finding the bottom corner.
78 minCHANCE! ANOTHER chance for Liverpool. Van Dijk is found at the back post and the Dutchman should score with a volley. However, despite not being under pressure, the ball is sliced over from 10 yards.
79 minCHANCE! Napoli go back up the other end and should equalise. Robertson fails to deal with a low cross but Callejon fails to anticipate the mistake and fires well over from close range.
81 minLess than 10 minutes to go now. I cannot believe we are still at 1-0. I still don't think we will remain that way.
84 minLiverpool are still in the ascendancy. They surely know that keeping a clean sheet will be enough! Napoli remain a threat on the counter.
85 minSUBSTITUTION! Klopp makes a second change with Fabinho replacing Milner, who has picked up a knock.
86 minSHOT! Half a chance for Wijnaldum who drags a shot wide from around 14 yards out, although the midfielder had to get the ball through a pack of players.
87 minCHANCE! How has Mane missed?! Salah picks out his teammate around eight yards from goal but the winger hits the ball into the side-netting! He only had to hit the target.
90 minSUBSTITUTION! Alexander-Arnold has picked up a knock so Lovren is coming on at right-back.
90 minThere will be four minutes of added-on time.
90+2 minSAVE! Oh wow! Alisson has just made one of the biggest saves of his life. Milik should convert from around seven yards out but Alisson stays big to prevent a certain goal. Milik won't know how he hasn't scored!
90+4 minCHANCE! Mane goes through on his own and drags the ball wide from 10 yards. Honestly, it's so bad. Just seconds to go.
90+5 minFULL TIME: Liverpool 1-0 Napoli
10.00pmThe full-time whistle goes at Anfield and Liverpool have done it! It was far more tense than it needed to be, but Salah's first-half goal has proven enough for Liverpool to reach the last 16 of the Champions League at the expense of Napoli, who drop into the Europa League. It's been another famous European night on Merseyside!
10.02pmThat will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this evening and we hope to see you again soon.
If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.
