No substitute for Gerrard as captain scores hat-trick to rescue Reds

The Reds were deservedly behind to Ezequiel Lavezzi's goal after a dire first-half performance but the England midfielder's introduction at the interval changed the dynamic.

Gerrard, as he always has, led from the front and scored three goals in the final 15 minutes to extend Liverpool's lead at the top of Group K.

It also made it two wins and two draws in the last four matches and ensured the side's mini-revival did not come crashing to an end before it had chance to gather momentum.

That Gerrard made such a difference highlighted the deficiencies on the playing staff at Anfield, with the side operating the vast majority of the second half with five central midfielders in a variety of other positions. The captain put the rest of his team-mates to shame.

Newly-appointed director of football strategy Damien Comolli, watching alongside owner John Henry, must be wondering how he is expected to bring in talent to match that of Gerrard's, such was the midfielder's influence on the game.

But both Henry and Comolli would have been disappointed with how quickly Liverpool were put on the back foot by the lively visitors in the first half.

Equally worrying was the number of times they gave the ball away, a failing which ultimately cost them as one such occasion led to Napoli's goal, Lavezzi who calmly steered the ball under Reina, sparking wild celebrations for the visiting fans.

It took just 11 seconds for Gerrard to get into the game, winning a tackle with typical aggression but it was his sheer determination which brought the equaliser in the 75th minute.

Shelvey's run appeared to be petering out when Dossena did his former club a huge favour by diverting the ball towards De Sanctis. Gerrard sensed an opportunity and charged in to divert the ball past the goalkeeper.

Salvatore Aronica's 88th-minute trip on Johnson presented the captain with a penalty to double his tally and he duly obliged.

In the directors' box Henry punched the air but he had barely sat down before Gerrard completed his hat-trick and sealed the victory, cleverly dinking the ball over De Sanctis from substitute Lucas Leiva's through-ball.

Two late goals from Lech Poznan condemned faltering Manchester City to a third straight defeat and increased the pressure on manager Roberto Mancini.

With the scores locked at 1-1 following efforts from Dimitrije Injac and Emmanuel Adebayor, City's Europa League Group A rivals struck twice in the last five minutes to take the points.

Dedryck Boyata headed against the unwitting Manuel Arboleda to make it 2-1 before Mateusz Mozdzen hit a screamer from the edge of the area to seal it in style.