Just two days before they head to Anfield for a Champions League showdown, reports have emerged that Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has issued fines totalling over €2.5million (£2.14million) to his first team squad following an internal mutiny.
Back in September, the Italian club defeated Liverpool 2-0 in the Reds first match in the competition since lifting their sixth European Cup, but their preparations for the return fixture have been clouded by internal divisions.
Four matches into this season's Champion League group stage, Napoli have now been usurped by Jurgen Klopp's men when it comes to top spot in Group E.
Although both Liverpool and Napoli look well-placed to make it to the knockout phase 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 De Laurentiis to order his side to go on a week-long training camp.
However, head coach Carlo Ancelotti said he was against the idea and the players subsequently refused, prompting the 70-year-old owner – who is a prominent Italian film producer – to threaten to sell the entire squad .
Sources have told ESPN FC that De Laurentiis began legal proceedings on Monday to fine every member of the first team squad, apart from Kevin Malcuit who has been recovering from a serious knee injury, 25% of their monthly salary – the maximum penalty allowed.
The club have imposed a media blackout on the squad and North Macedonia midfielder Elijf Elmas was reprimanded by the club for breaking ranks and talking to his local media during the international break.
Under UEFA rules, Ancelotti is obliged to give a news conference in Liverpool the day before Wednesday's Champions League match but the report says on Monday there was no indication that the club were prepared to lift the embargo.
