Liverpool fans vilify star after they lose 4-1 to Napoli

Liverpool fans ripped into James Milner as they got their Champions League campaign off to a horrendous record equalling start.

The Reds were runners up in the Champions League last season but Jurgen Klopp was still in confident mood after the final loss to Real Madrid, telling fans to book their hotels for next year's final.

However, things didn't get off to a good start to the new campaign on Wednesday night, as they suffered a huge defeat to Napoli, in Italy, with the hosts spurred on by a wonderful sounding home support.

The Reds went 1-0 down to a penalty, after a handball from James Milner, and fans really weren't impressed with the versatile player's performance.

Social media was awash with criticism of his whole game, after they fell to a 4-1 tonking from Luciano Spalletti's side.

It’s sad to see, but he can’t keep up at this kind of level anymore. Late challenges, desperate attempts to stop the ball…he shouldn’t be put in this position

— Annie (@Annie_LFC) September 7, 2022

pic.twitter.com/4cHTdxrixm

— standard trent (@Capt_trent66) September 7, 2022

This pic.twitter.com/jT711ZVfTk

— J3RR4X (@ImnotG04TN4T3) September 7, 2022

"Shouldn’t be starting for any team in the premier league never mind the Champions League," one fan brutally said.

"Don’t understand how he keeps getting minutes, I love him but please Klopp," another adeed.

A third called on him to finish his career, saying, "Awful should’ve retired by now brilliant player throughout his career but he’s not good anymore."

Another pointed out just how much the 36-year-old is having to play, positing, "James Milner is close to 37-years-old and has appeared in all of Liverpool’s first 7 fixtures, starting 3 of them. That’s absolutely sickening."

"There’s no excuse for that from Milner and no idea what he was even trying. Great club servant but he’s just not at the standard required anymore," a fifth said.

And one other really summed it up saying, "Everyone expected Milner to be dog shit and he’s still managed to surprise us."

Can James Milner have any complaints about that handball decision? 🤔#LFC #UCL pic.twitter.com/Loj9qeY9IL

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 7, 2022

Milner's handball led to Piotr Zielinski opening the scoring from the penalty spot, and they could have doubled the lead in the same manner not long later.

Virgil van Dijk tripped Victor Osimhen in the box but the striker had his attempt saved by Alisson, but it was just a short reprieve for the visitors.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa doubled the lead just after the half hour mark and Giovanni Simeone made it 3-0 with the half time whistle looming.

Osimhen had been removed for an injury but even with the Nigerian off, the hosts continued to threaten and Zielinski scored two minutes after the break.

Liverpool manage to stem the flow of goals and even get Luiz Diaz on the scoresheet but the final 4-1 loss still equalled their biggest loss in the Champions League, levelling the three goal deficit that they lost to Real Madrid to in 2014.