Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti has admitted that he’s hoping to get Alisson Becker and Mohamed Salah‘s Liverpool shirts after tonight’s game.
Liverpool take on Napoli in the Champions League’s opening matchday tonight. And as per TalkSPORT, Spalletti has claimed that getting the two Liverpool player’s shirts is important to him this evening.
The Napoli boss coached both players during their time together at Roma. And he’s clearly looking forward to a reunion.
“It will be a great satisfaction to once again see Alisson and Mohamed Salah. I was fortunate enough to coach them both and I will be delighted to see them back in action,” said Spalletti.
Spalletti praises Salah and Alisson
As well as getting in an early claim to their shirts, Spalletti was hugely complimentary about both Alisson and Salah.
When Alisson signed for Liverpool from Roma [in 2018], he was one of the most expensive goalkeepers of all time and despite that, he showed his worth,” he said.
“If you try to compare Alisson in terms of where he ranks in the goalkeeping stakes, he is almost the no.9 of goalkeepers in terms of stature, character and quality.
As for Mo Salah, once at a press conference after a 4-0 win over Palermo, I highlighted the fact that he sprinted back 60 yards to recover possession despite the fact we were winning 4-0. He is one of those players who can keep alive a ball that appears to be dead and buried.”
Liverpool looking to key pair to inspire Champions League victory
If Liverpool are to end their poor run in Naples, then they’ll need both players to step up this evening.
Alisson had his best game of the season against Everton on Saturday. After a slightly subdued start to the campaign, the Brazilian sprung into life at Goodison Park.
Without his excellent saves from Neal Maupay and Dwight McNeil, Liverpool would have lost the game.
Salah on the other hand is still waiting for that game to kick-start his year. The Egyptian has managed three goals for Liverpool this season, which is hardly cause for concern.
But he hasn’t looked his old self for large periods of games and hasn’t yet shown why Liverpool were so desperate to renew his contract.
As Spalletti well knows though, that can change at any moment. The 30-year-old isn’t the kind of player you can keep quiet for long.
The Italian coach is well-known for his extensive collection of match-worn shirts. Hopefully he collects Alisson and Salah’s after the two have helped Liverpool to an important win tonight.
