Carlo Ancelotti has thanked Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp after the German claimed his Napoli side could win the Champions League this season.

Holders Liverpool began the defence of their crown with a humbling 2-0 defeat away to the Serie A side on Tuesday.

Two goals inside the final 10 minutes of the game gave the Italians victory and slight revenge against the Reds who knocked them out of last season’s group stage on route to winning the trophy.

Dries Mertens netted from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute after Andrew Robertson was alleged to have felled Jose Callejon, before a stoppage time second for substitute Fernando Llorente.

The defeat leaves Klopp’s side third early on as Red Bull Salzburg thrashed Genk 6-2 to top Group E.

“I did not see the penalty after the match, I have no idea of what happened,” said Ancelotti.

“From the dugout it seemed like a clear one to me. I don’t want to discuss about this. If he (Jurgen Klopp) says that we can win the competition, I thank him because those are words coming from somebody who knows football very well.

“But we have a long way ahead of us. Right now we must focus just on qualifying for the knockout stage, that’s our first goal and we started well.”