Benítez warns Liverpool: Osimhen is in excellent form and, he will look to run in behind the centre backs

Liverpool play Napoli on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League and Rafa Benitez, who managed both teams, write in his column in The Times of London that in-form Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will make life difficult for Liverpool players in today’s match.

“There is probably an expectation that Liverpool will make wholesale changes for this game. They have already qualified for the round of 16 and must beat Napoli, who are unbeaten this season, by four clear goals to claim top spot in Group A, while their Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday is now important after recent results.

“However, in this situation, I would go to win this game, rather than looking to the weekend, because it is key to try to get confidence back into the players and the fans.

‘’If Jürgen Klopp can make three or four changes, bring in players with fresh legs who have something to prove, then I have no doubt the intensity can be there from the beginning.

‘’The way in which Robertson attacks high up the pitch along with fellow full back Alexander-Arnold has been Liverpool’s strength in the past but is now where teams look to hurt them

‘’The way in which Robertson attacks high up the pitch along with fellow full back Alexander-Arnold has been Liverpool’s strength in the past but is now where teams look to hurt them

“As a manager, you can start thinking about more changes at half-time or at 60 minutes if the result you need to finish first is unlikely.

“But, always, winning is good for morale and I think Liverpool need that at the moment.

“I am not as pessimistic about their prospects as everyone else. This is not a normal season. They have had injuries, the World Cup is a distraction, but they remain a very strong team.

“I am sure they will recover and get in to the top four in the Premier League, and we know from their performances in recent seasons how they can go far in European competitions.

“Confidence is so important because what Liverpool have lost, their rivals have also gained. Opponents know how to play against them and are prepared for that.

“Under Klopp, the full backs, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson, go high, they overlap and they put crosses in and create assists. Liverpool’s style is to play with a high line.

“So the space is behind, and every team knows that. The issue for their opponents previously was that Liverpool were playing so well they still could not expose them. Now teams, such as Leeds United in their 2-1 win on Saturday, attack and counterattack with more determination because they have seen the success others have had.

“Napoli were one of the first to show this with their 4-1 win in the first group match. They avoided the first line of pressing and caused Liverpool problems in wide areas, which are usually a strength under Klopp. The opening goal came after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia caused problems on Napoli’s left flank and Joe Gomez had to go to try and help out. When the centre backs go wide, the team becomes more exposed. Victor Osimhen is in good form and, if he plays, he will look to run in behind the centre backs.

“Fabinho is a player who needs solutions around him. He is not like Thiago Alcântara who can pass to his left, right, in front or wherever because he can see all these things. But then, Thiago cannot challenge like Fabinho or provide the same balance.

‘’In Fabinho’s case, the solutions are having players around him in the right positions so he can give them the ball. If this happens then he will make fewer mistakes and can continue protecting the centre backs. He needs a bit of belief at the moment, but he is still a great player.

‘’I follow Napoli closely because of my time there and I have a lot of respect for their head coach, Luciano Spalletti. After he left Inter Milan in 2019, he was not working until joining Napoli in 2021. But he was always watching matches, analysing and trying to stay updated. At 63, he is the type of manager I like because he walks the walk rather than talks the talk. He focuses on getting the best from his players rather than the “modern football” way of pushing “projects”.

‘’What is impressive about Napoli under him and the owner, Aurelio De Laurentiis, is that they have sold players — Kalidou Koulibaly, Fabián Ruiz, Jorginho and — going further back — Edinson Cavani and Gonzalo Higuain — but bought well.

‘’I was aware of the South Korean defender Kim Min-jae from my time in China, and he is a good signing. Osimhen is a key player and Kvaratskhelia has been one of the surprises of the season. Napoli are unbeaten this season and I think they are one of the contenders to win the Champions League. They play with no fear.’’