CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HITS AND MISSES - 24-7latestupdate

 Champions League hits and misses:

Man City and Liverpool concernAfter the fifth Champions League group stage matchday, there were more questions than answers for the English clubs. Here, we run through the talking points...

Draw only adds to Klopp's fatigue concerns



Liverpool missed a big chance to secure safe passage to the Champions League last 16, important in any season, but particularly important given their upcoming schedule.

The draw means Liverpool must put out a strong side against a good Red Bull Salzburg team in a fortnight, in the midst of a run of fixtures - just the 11 games in 34 days.

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It's fair to say Liverpool haven't looked fatigued to this point, but Wednesday's performance may have showed the first signs. They struggled to stretch a particularly stubborn Napoli who were happy to sit on a lead.

Their transitions were slow, the full-backs not as energetic, and the front three out of touch. It was a rare sight.

Liverpool's failure to keep a clean sheet wasn't a rare sight; they conceded for the 11th game in a row, their worst such run since 1998.

There were some worrying performances too - Joe Gomez and Mo Salah in particular - but they did show some character at least to pile forward late on. It felt like it was going to be another comeback, but instead, Klopp has a huge headache ahead.

And, as Klopp admitted after the game, the injury to Fabinho could be 'massive'.

Worries exist for Manchester City



Manchester City's safe passage to the Champions League last 16 wasn't met with the relief and celebration it warranted. The Etihad has been the home of slick football in recent years, but on Tuesday night, it was sloppy, lethargic and, above all, worrying.

Despite finishing top of their group, therefore allowing for a much-needed rest in their final group game in Zagreb, Pep Guardiola will be concerned about a hazardous defence and a frontline which struggled to create clear-cut chances.

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Guardiola couldn't be accused of not taking the game seriously - he didn't look any less frustrated or concerned on the touchline as he has at times this season - but there may be some mental fatigue settling into his City side

They let Shakhtar Donetsk in on at least four occasions, the types of mistakes and openings we were used to seeing once every two games at the Etihad.

City didn't have that intensity and speed we have all become accustomed to, and perhaps its absence looks worse because it has existed consistently for so long. But Guardiola must ensure this doesn't creep into the Premier League title race as he takes a mental break from Europe. This is a different kind of test of his skills at City.

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