Napoli have been hit with a major blow ahead of their Champions League visit to Liverpool after Lorenzo Insigne was ruled out with an elbow injury.
The Italian forward picked up the issue during a 1-1 draw with AC Milan last weekend and will miss Wednesday’s group game at Anfield as a result.
Insigne scored the winner during the sides’ group-stage meeting in Italy last season, and has four goals from 14 outings this term.
News of his absence will have done little to improve manager Carlo Ancelotti’s mood following a tumultuous few weeks at Stadio San Paolo.
The former Chelsea boss is under increasing pressure after a run of six games without victory in all competitions.
In Pictures | Liverpool vs Napoli | 28/07/19
His players are also reportedly facing hefty fines from owner Aurelio De Laurentiis for leaving a recent club-imposed training camp without permission.
With RB Salzburg waiting in the wings, the Italians’ place in the Champions League knockout stages remains far from assured.
Liverpool know that victory in this game would take them through as group winners, allowing Jurgen Klopp to make changes for what would be a dead rubber in Salzburg.
That would likely mean that Napoli have to beat Genk to secure progression on matchday six - a difficult prospect given their current form.
