Liverpool were thrashed by Napoli in their first Champions League Group A game on a night to forget in Italy.
Jurgen Klopp's side were 3-0 down at half time but it could easily have been more as Alisson saved a penalty and Virgil van Dijk made a goalline block.
Piotr Zielinski put Napoli ahead from the spot in the fifth minute after Victor Osimhen had hit the post.
Andre-Frank Anguissa and Giovanni Simeone extended Napoli's lead, before Zielinski scored again after the break.
It was a terrible opening half from Liverpool as Joe Gomez struggled to deal with Osimhen and was relieved when the Napoli forward trudged off with an injury before half-time.
His replacement, Simeone, needed just three minutes to score on his Champions League debut as Liverpool looked shell-shocked by the home side's relentless forward approach.
There were chances for the visitors - Van Dijk had a header well saved, Mohamed Salah struck an effort at the goalkeeper and a teasing cross bounced dangerously off Harvey Elliott's knee at the back post.
But Liverpool were sloppy in possession - even Salah mis-controlled a good pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold when well-placed in the box - and their defensive mistakes were punished by an expressive Napoli side.
Any hope of a second-half comeback were over when Zielinski chipped a finish over Alisson from close range to make it 4-0 and though Luis Diaz curled in for an immediate response and came close with a diving header, Liverpool were deservedly beaten.
Deadline-day signing Arthur Melo came on for his debut late in the second half and fellow midfielder Thiago returned from injury to make a brief cameo, but Liverpool will head home having now won just two of their last seven matches in all competitions.
Latest Stories
-
Trade Ministry pledges commitment to agricultural transformation at UKGCC Grand Challenge Programme
54 minutes -
NLA’s Chief Internal Auditor honoured at the Ghana Executive Management Awards
1 hour -
African Forest Forum launches AY4F platform to empower young forestry professionals
2 hours -
A Rocha Ghana warns of devastating impact of L.I. 2462 amendment
2 hours -
Experts call for stricter enforcement of Land Act amid rising land disputes
2 hours -
Ghana is a nation blessed with religious harmony – President Mahama
2 hours -
Stop building on waterways to avoid havoc – President Mahama
2 hours -
Korean star Kim Soo-Hyun denies accusations by late actress’ family
2 hours -
Betis should crowdfund to extend Antony loan – Isco
2 hours -
Depending on aid will not take Ghana out of poverty – Ayorkor Botchwey
2 hours -
Africa Education Watch condemns GETFund allocation to MPs for education projects
2 hours -
Joy FM wraps up 2025 Ghana Month celebration with Accra High Street Walking Tour
3 hours -
My promises aren’t mere words, but a commitment to enhancing lives – Mahama
3 hours -
Embrace education – John Mahama tells Muslim youth
3 hours -
Our development rests on our unity, not division – Mahama Ghanaians at Eid-ul-Fitr event
3 hours