It was a frustrating night for Liverpool as they spurned the opportunity to seal their qualification for the Champions League knockout stages after a 1-1 draw v Napoli.

Liverpool were knocked back in the first half when Dries Mertens raced through on goal, firing a rasping volley past a despairing Alisson in front of the Kop.

It was a controversial strike as Mertens appeared to foul Virgil van Dijk in the build-up but VAR refused to overturn the decision.

Mertens' first-half finish means that the Reds have now conceded in their last 11 games.

Just to add further context to the current situation, the defensive line was manned by Rob Jones, Dominic Matteo, Phil Babb and Stig Inge Bjornebye during that run in '98.

Incredible.

Fortunately, Liverpool's leaky backline has yet to cost them too dearly as they have consistently found a way to outscore their opponents.

Unfortunately, Wednesday night was a different story with the Italian side set up to deliberately frustrate the home team.

With a helter-skelter schedule coming up in December, Klopp would have been desperate to wrap up their progress to the next round but, instead, they face a tricky trip to Austria to battle RB Salzburg.

A point will be enough for the Merseysiders but it won't be easy. 

Teenage sensation Erling Braut Haaland will certainly smell blood and has the capabilities to run the Liverpool rearguard ragged.

Something has to change if Liverpool want a chance to defend their crown by making a third consecutive final.

Their attack simply can't be constantly tasked with bailing out the defence and Klopp will be well aware that the holes at the back could come back to bite them.