'He has speed': What Jurgen Klopp said about Liverpool target Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after facing him in 2022
Today at 06:00 AM
Liverpool’s match against Napoli during the early part of the 2022/23 season is one supporters will have desperately tried to forget.
After a difficult start to the campaign, Liverpool hit a new low in Naples, going down 4-1 to the runaway Serie A leaders.
Although he may not have gotten on the scoresheet that night, a certain Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was still the star of the show for Napoli.
Having burst onto the scene following his transfer from Dinamo Tbilisi, Kvaratskhelia ran Joe Gomez ragged all night in what was a chastening night for the Liverpool defender.
The Reds managed to restore some pride in the home tie, winning 2-0 to qualify for the knockout stages.
After that match at Anfield, then manager Jurgen Klopp was full of praise for Kvaratskhelia. And with news emerging on Thursday that Liverpool are keen to sign Kvaratskhelia this January, Klopp’s comments make for interesting reading.
Jurgen Klopp on the money about Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Liverpool have been linked with Kvaratskhelia in the past, but a move for the Napoli wingman has never felt truly realistic.
Now, with Kvaratskhelia surprisingly on the market, there is genuine expectation that the Reds could make something happen.
Just days after starting his new job with Red Bull, Klopp will no doubt be watching on with interest.
“He's [Kvaratskhelia] a good player,” said the former Liverpool manager when asked about the Napoli man’s battle with Trent Alexander-Arnold. “Both [Kvaratskhelia and Trent] are good players, so it's a really difficult one.”
READ MORE: How Arne Slot's first seven months as Liverpool head coach compare to Jurgen Klopp's
“I know people will talk about one or two situations when Trent tried to be in front of him and the ball goes through. But he is really good, the boy, and really quick and you have to defend him together in these moments.
“When he has the advantage of the first movement then he is already gone,” Klopp added. “You have to try to be there in the moment when the ball arrives, but if you cannot do that then you need to be protected because he has speed, he is cheeky, he goes inside, he can go outside, that makes it always really difficult.”
What’s the latest on Kvaratskhelia to Liverpool?
While it doesn’t appear as though anything is especially imminent regarding Kvaratskhelia, it’s clear that Liverpool are somewhere in the mix to sign him.
Nevertheless, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano’s Thursday night update, PSG are in active talks with Napoli over the Georgian.
If Liverpool are to make their play, then it looks like they’re going to have to do it quickly.
Klopp was clearly a fan of Kvaratskhelia and it’s obvious that the 23-year-old would have been ideal to play on the wings for the German. If the Reds do manage to get this one over line, it would be great to hear Jurgen’s thoughts.
