Less than two weeks before they come to Anfield, Liverpool's next Champions League opponents Napoli appear to be in turmoil with the club's owner threatening to sell the entire squad after a dressing room revolt.
The Italian side, who play Liverpool again on November 27, defeated Jurgen Klopp's side 2-0 in their first game defending the trophy they won against Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid on June 1, but four matches in they have now been usurped by the Reds when it comes to top spot in Group E.
Although both of them look well-placed to make it to the knockout stage with nine and eight points apiece and third-placed Red Bull Salzburg on four points with two more rounds of action to go, a 1-1 draw at home to the Austrians last time out prompted chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis to organise a training camp.
However, in an act of mutiny, Napoli's players refused to report to the extra session which led to a furious stand-off between the playing staff and Laurentiis, who is now considering cutting his losses and letting some of his star players leave in the January window.
While reports suggest he'd be willing to sell everyone now, the 70-year-old owner – who is a prominent Italian film producer – is 'aware not to act on instinct' and will bide his time on the matter.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport , Dries Mertens is one of the names that will be allowed to leave the club in the New Year, with Inter keen to take on the wantaway Belgian whose contract expires at the end of the season.
The Daily Mail writes that winger Jose Callejon is also reportedly being shown the exit door and has attracted interest from clubs in China, who would be able to offer the Spaniard a lucrative deal.
Club captain Lorenzo Insigne could also leave next summer, while star defender Kalidou Koulibaly – who has been linked with a mega money move to Liverpool along with several other Premier League clubs in recent years – may be cashed in on.
