Jurgen Klopp says he expects a tough challenge from Napoli in their Champions League match on Wednesday despite the Italian clubs on and off-field problems.
Winners of the Group E ties at Anfield will qualify for the last 16.
“I expect Napoli to be really strong for several reasons.” Said Klopp.
“They are a really good football team. Now they are not in Italy, they feel relived they can play in this game. We have to be ready for that.”
“Napoli gave us a proper fight at Anfield last season in a 1-0 win for Liverpool. We have to make sure from the first second this is a different place.”
“We want to go as far as possible in the Champions League. Napoli is experienced, tactically strong with super players.”
Liverpool will be without central defender, Joel Matip because of a knee injury.
Reigning European champions, Liverpool lost 2-0 to Napoli in Italy in September. Since then, the club has recorded three wins to sit top of Group E on nine points with one point ahead of the Italians.
However, Napoli has not won since their 3-2 victory at Red Bull Salzburg in October.
This month, club president Aurelio de Laurentiis ordered the team to attend a week-long training camp. But manager Carlo Ancelotti and his players returned home after a 1-1 draw again with Red Bull Salzburg.
The Italian newspaper said De Laurentiis was now set to fine the club’s players a quarter of their monthly wages.
“Whatever has happened, I don’t have a real idea.” Added Klopp.
“But if I was a player, I would be trying to bring the group together and fight the things from outside.”
“We will try to win. It would be massive for us for different reasons. We don’t feel like we are already halfway through.”
If Red Bull Salzburg fail to win at Genk in the other Group E game, then Liverpool will qualify for the last 16 even if they lose to Napoli.
The Reds are eight points clear at the top of the Premier League having dropped two points all season while Napoli is seventh in Serie A, 15 points behind leaders, Juventus.