Michael Owen believes Liverpool face tricky test to progress in Champions League

‘It’s not ideal for Liverpool, I’m sure they would’ve liked to have sewn it up’: Michael Owen believes his former side now face tricky test to progress in Champions League after Napoli draw

  • Liverpool need at least a draw in their final Champions League group game
  • They squandered the chance to secure their place in the last-16 on Wednesday
  • Jurgen Klopp’s side travel to Salzburg in a fortnight for last Group E game 

Liverpool face a tricky trip to Salzburg in a fortnight after blowing their chance to seal early progression to the last-16 of the Champions League on Wednesday night.

And both Michael Owen and Rio Ferdinand have warned Jurgen Klopp they will not have it easy in Austria next month.

Dejan Lovren secured a point for the Reds as they were held at Anfield by Napoli, while Salzburg put four past Genk.

Michael Owen believes Liverpool face a tricky test to reach the last-16 of Champions League

Jurgen Klopp's side were frustrated in a 1-1 draw at home to Napoli on Wednesday night

Jurgen Klopp’s side were frustrated in a 1-1 draw at home to Napoli on Wednesday night

The European champions now need a draw to avoid early elimination from the competition.

Owen said on BT Sport after: ‘It’s not going to be easy going to Salzburg, they score goals. 

‘But at least they’ve got two results where they can get a draw or a win to qualify. It’s not ideal for Liverpool, I’m sure they would’ve liked to have sewn it up tonight.

‘Klopp would have liked to have rested some players for that Salzburg, but he can’t do that now.’

Dejan Lovren rescued a point for the European champions with a second-half header

Dejan Lovren rescued a point for the European champions with a second-half header

Rio Ferdinand believes that Liverpool's experience will stand them in good stead next month

Rio Ferdinand believes that Liverpool’s experience will stand them in good stead next month

Ferdinand added: ‘It’s going to be a tough test. The young lad that’s scoring loads of goals up front [Haaland], they’ve come here and scored, they can score goals but I just think the experience Liverpool have. they will be able to get the result there and get through.’

Liverpool still sit top of Group E with 10 points from five games, but could have wrapped up both progression to the knockout round and top spot with victory.

They are a point ahead of Napoli, who host bottom side Genk, while Salzburg are three adrift of Liverpool. 

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