Harry Diamond
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy is backing the Anfield crowd to make the difference when his former side face Napoli in their must-win Champions League.
Liverpool host the Italian side on Tuesday night knowing they must win to stand any chance of reaching the Champions League knock-out stages, whilst a win by a two-goal margin would send Jurgen Klopp’s side through at their opponents expense.
Napoli currently sit top of Group C and won the reverse fixture 1-0 in Naples, however Murphy says the Anfield crowd could make all the difference.
‘Make no bones about it, European nights in Liverpool are special because of the close proximity of the fans to the pitch. Napoli’s players are used to really big crowds but they might not have experienced anything like the Anfield roar.’ Murphy writes in the Daily Mail.
‘For Liverpool players, it gives you reassurance. You look around the tunnel and see every one of your team-mates up for it.
‘You see passion and a steely assurance without complacency. On the pitch, you know the crowd will keep behind you even if you make a small mistake like over-hitting a cross or misplacing a pass.
‘It lifts you, inspires you to go on the front foot. It’s significant that against Roma, we scored the first goal in a 2-0 victory after only six minutes, through Jari Litmanen.
‘This Napoli tie has the same dynamics as the great European nights. Liverpool must win, as they did against St Etiennne in 1977 and Olympiacos and Chelsea in 2004-05.’