Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti has raved about Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.
Spalletti takes his in-form Napoli side to Anfield this evening looking to top Champions League Group A. In their ranks will be the red-hot Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. And speaking in his pre-match press conference via Football Italia, the Italian likened the Georgian to Salah.
“They [Salah and Kvaratskhelia] are two footballers who in different ways manage to make these brilliant plays, because that’s what we’re talking about. You can play any simple ball on them and they manage to turn it into an opportunity for the team,” he said.
“They have this ease to point and get past the opponent, to caress the ball as they go 2000 kilometres an hour and make a turnaround. Both of them are very convinced of their potential, in being so simple, such good guys, so willing to help everyone all the time. Indeed, they are two that can put their own spin on it.”
As someone who managed Salah, Spalletti’s comparison here is worth listening to. Liverpool have been linked with a move for Kvaratskhelia. If he’s anything like the Egyptian King, then sign him up.
Salah starting to hit his stride
This isn’t the first time that Spalletti has been complimentary about Salah. Ahead of September’s group opener, the coach said he would be asking for the Liverpool star’s shirt at full-time.
Player and manager obviously formed a sharp bond during their year together at Roma.
Although Salah couldn’t do any harm to his former boss in Naples, he comes into this one in better form. Mo actually has six goals in six games for Liverpool.
Amongst the wreckage of Saturday’s loss against Leeds United, the 30-year-old still got his goal.
Whether or not Salah will be in the team or not is another story. He has played an awful lot this season. Although that isn’t irregular for Mo, Liverpool need him more against Tottenham on Sunday.
With progression to the last-16 already secured, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Jurgen Klopp rest his No.11.
Likewise, Liverpool may get a reprieve with Kvaratskhelia also rested. Napoli are gunning for the Scudetto in Serie A and have a massive top-of-the-table game against Atalanta coming up on Saturday. Win that, and they’ll go eight points clear in first place.
So, we may not see either of Spalletti’s favourites at Anfield tonight. But as the season goes on, expect them both to be among Europe’s top performers.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
