“A curious statistic” – Napoli manager uses Everton match to underline Liverpool style

With Napoli set to face Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday, Luciano Spalletti faced the media on Tuesday to discuss various topics.

One of them was the fitness of Victor Osimhen, who remains a doubt for the clash after feeling a twinge following the 2-1 against Lazio, while Liverpool are without some of their main players, coming off a 0-0 draw against Everton.

Another was the difference between playing in the Serie A and in European competitions, as you often face clubs that play various styles of football that suit their respective leagues better.

Italian football is often seen as being far more of a tactical battle than what we are used to one these shores, while many often comment on how Premier League football tends to rely more on intensity and speed.

This is something Spalletti touched upon, and he used the game against Everton as an example of how Liverpool play very differently than most opponents the team face on a weekly basis.

He said, relayed by Sport Mediaset: “There are important signs, young Italian managers who are bringing new ways of interpreting the game. It’s clear, however, that against Liverpool, you have to do it anyway. They play total football, with continuous game changes and continuous long through balls.

“I give you a curious statistic. During Lazio-Napoli, there were 30 throw-ins taken. During Everton-Liverpool, 60. This is because they always play long balls into open space on the sides of the pitch. They don’t let you breathe with these balls, they keep your head underwater.”

With Liverpool travelling to Naples, there will be some hope, especially following the Reds’ mixed Premier League form, that the Serie A side could pick up some points from this game.

Everton managed to get a point at home against the Reds, so Napoli will certainly feel they can do too.