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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Nathan Bliss

Liverpool against Napoli will be a five-goal thriller according to FIFA 20

Liverpool could secure top spot in Champions League group E this evening, but they will have to get a result against the last side to beat Jurgen Klopp's side this season, as they face Napoli at Anfield.

Mohamed Salah is expected to return to the Reds starting lineup against the Serie A side on Wednesday, after sitting out their 2-1 away win at Crystal Palace in the Premier League, but Dejan Lovren is expected to play alongside Virgil van Dijk in defence due to Joel Matip's continued injury issues.

So, what will the final score be against Napoli?

And, what XI will Jurgen Klopp pick?

We used FIFA 20 to predict the outcome of this midweek Champions League clash...

Liverpool vs Napoli simulated on FIFA 20

To set up this simulation, we used kick-off mode within FIFA 20 but didn't select a team to control; we then selected the teams and watched the match play out by itself, to give us a unique prediction.

The AI difficulty was set to world class, with the line-up updated with the latest transfers, injuries and suspensions.

We predict that Liverpool could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with the line-up as follows: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Henderson; Mane, Firmino, Salah.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

We predict that Napoli could set up in a 4-4-2 formation, with their line-up as follows; Meret; Lorenzo, Manolas, Koulibaly, Mario Rui; Zielinski, Fabian, Allan, Callejon; Lozano, Mertens.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

Napoli caught Liverpool off guard early on with an ultra-aggressive approach, pushing forward with numbers in attack.

And the Italian side got the lead they were looking for after just nine minutes, with a stunner from Hirving Lozano.

The Mexican cut inside and dribbled past Lovren, before unleashing an unstoppable effort into the top corner.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

Jurgen Klopp's side slowly but surely reasserted their dominance as the first-half progressed.

But Napoli were a constant threat with the pace of Mertens, Callejon and Lozano, so they had to be cautious in their approach.

Just before half-time, the Reds got a vital goal to get themselves back in the tie, with Gini Wijnaldum finding the net.

The Dutch midfielder was played in with a lovely pass from Firmino, which he hit first time into the far corner and past Meret.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

A great goal from Wijnaldum.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

In the second-half, Liverpool seemed in control of the game and were pushing forward for a winner.

But, Napoli still provided a real threat, and shocked Anfield by going in front once again in the 59th minute.

Carlo Ancelotti's side had a corner, which was cleared but only into the path of Callejon on the right.

The Spaniard's ball into the box was met by Koulibaly, who was free inside the Liverpool area, and the defender made it 2-1.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

But, for the second game in a row, Liverpool's opponents weren't in front for long and again, it was Firmino to the rescue for Klopp's side.

The Brazilian received the ball from Henderson in midfield in the 64th minute, before running directly at Napoi's defence and hitting a powerful effort which flew past Meret and into the bottom corner.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

The comeback was on.

But, for the next 20 minutes or so, the game was very even in terms of possession, with Napoli happy to have it to waste time, and Liverpool keen to go for the win.

It was a moment of brilliance that decided the game, and it came from Liverpool's Mohamed Salah.

With just four minutes of normal time remaining, the Egyptian dribbled past Koulibaly, cut inside and curled a phenomenal effort into the top corner from just outside the area.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

Absolutely brilliant.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

And, that was that, Liverpool were Champions League Group E winners.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

Full-time score: Liverpool 3-2 Napoli

Here are the full-time match stats.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

Napoli scored with their only two shots on target, with Liverpool dominating all other metrics.

Despite Salah's wonder goal to win the match, the Man of the Match went to Firmino, who both scored and assisted.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

FIFA 20 predicts that Liverpool will need to produced yet another comeback to win against Napoli, with the Italian's scoring first at Anfield, before a moment of magic wins the game for Klopp's side.

What do you think the score will be?

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