Defending champions Liverpool suffered a setback in their bid to reach the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League after a draw against Napoli at Anfield on Wednesday night.

The draw left the EPL leader needing a result in their final group game at Red Bull Salzburg.

The Reds would have gone through as Group E winners with a win but fell behind midway through the first half when Dries Mertens beat the offside trap to finish from a tight angle.

Liverpool were far from at their best in the first half as they struggled to put together the fast-flowing attacking football they are capable of, although went close to equalising on the stroke of half-time when James Milner’s shot was denied at the near post.

Meanwhile, Barcelona have qualified for the last-16 with a confident 3-1 victory over Dortmund at Camp Nou.​

Goals from Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann put Barca in full control before Jadon Sancho scored a consolation off the bench.

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Messi marked his 700th appearance with a goal to put Barcelona 2-0 inside 33 minutes. After setting up Luis Suarez for the opener, the Argentinian forward got on the scoresheet to net his 114th Champions League goal of his career.

Griezmann – on for Ousmane Dembele, who left the field in tears after suffering a potentially serious thigh injury – struck after the break, and Dortmund had no answer despite a lively cameo from Sancho.

Liverpool 1 – 1 Napoli

Slavia Prague 1 – 3 Inter

Zenit St. Petersburg 2 – 0 Lyon

RasenBallsport Leipzig 2 – 2 Benfica

Valencia 2 – 2 Chelsea

Lille  – 2 Ajax

See table: