Liverpool will be without the injured Glen Johnson and Dirk Kuyt. Also unavailable through sickness is Daniel Agger (Really beginning to worry about Agger, reports from Denmark recently claiming he may be forced to give up football due to his constant back problems and now him missing a game through sickness, it just doesn't seem right. Wish him a quick recovery.) who did not travel with the side to Napoli.
Christian Poulsen is said to be back (forgive me for holding the fanfare) and players such as Wilson and Shelvey have also travelled. Gerrard and Torres are being left behind so that they are both ready for a big game against Blackburn on the weekend (because as we all know, we need a soddin win!). Carragher and Reina have also made the team though so some of the spine is still remaining.
Napoli are currently sitting in 4th and have won 3, drawn 3 and lost 1 in Serie A. In the Europa League their last group game against Steaua ended 3-3 and their game against Utrecht ended with no goals.
Napoli may not be a familiar side to some fans but they certainly have a familiar face. Andrea Dossena who will always be remembered at Liverpool for his goals against Real Madrid and Manchester United. He has been in Italy since January so has had time to settle down.
Roy Hodgson of course has familiar memories of Napoli too after they defeated his Inter Milan on penalties in a Semi Final of the Coppa Italia in 1997.
Liverpool i feel with a slightly weakened side will first of all perhaps not be able to produce a convincing win but also won't necessarily be looking for anything spectacular anyway. I'd like to think a nice 1-0 would suffice but i don't have a lot of confidence in the side at the moment. Hopefully somebody like NGog who hasn't had many league starts can come up with some more Europa League magic and give Liverpool fans something to cheer about.