In a crucial Champions League fixture with implications for multiple matches to come, Liverpool drew with Napoli 1-1 at Anfield.
Rarely do referees have a nightmare so noticeable that impacts Liverpool’s game.
Spanish referee Carlos del Cerro Grande was consistent, just consistently poor the whole match.
It was not just that decisions that seemed to go against the Merseysiders, he regularly missed calls all over the pitch. Still, the Reds did not play well enough to nullify his influence.
Dries Mertens clearly fouled Virgil van Dijk in the build-up to the opener before racing forward and firing a top-class finish past Alisson in the 21st minute.
As all goals do, it changed the game and allowed Napoli to drop deep and soak up pressure.
Despite dominating possession and pulling Napoli from side to side, Liverpool lacked the extra gear and sharpness to break down the Italian side.
Eventually, Dejan Lovren equalized in the 65th minute, powerfully heading home a James Milner corner.
Jurgen Klopp made substitutions and changed the shape of his side in search of the winner. Liverpool looked livelier and began to pile on the pressure with the additions of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
However, they could not find the breakthrough they needed to put them into the next round.
Now, a point or better is required from the trip to Salzburg, when the fixture list warranted a much-needed rotation or personnel.
Here are four findings from the match.
