Ex-Russian Premier League prodigy rips Liverpool apart

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia dropped another masterclass against last season's Champions League finalists

An outstanding Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was in top form as he helped Napoli destroy last season's finalists Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday.

As the protagonist for the Italians in midfield, the Georgian winger had just 32 touches but used them well with three key passes and an assist as Napoli roared 3-0 ahead after 45 minutes.

Already hailed as 'Kavaradona' in tribute to Napoli club legend Diego Maradona, whom their former Stadio San Paolo is now named after following his 2020 death, the number 77 helped Giovanni Simeone – son of Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone – score the hosts' third by setting him up for a tap-in in the 44th minute.

Kvaratskhelia generally gave his Liverpool rivals the run-around before being substituted in the 57th minute, taking advantage of sloppy defending by the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez on what was a torrid night for the Reds in southern Italy. 

The impressive display from the 21-year-old was just the latest since joining the Neapolitans for a reported fee between €10–12 million ($9.92-11.9 million) that has seen him dubbed the bargain of the season. 

Kvaratskhelia headed to Serie A from Dinamo Batumi in Georgia, but had started to build a reputation in Russia at Rubin Kazan where he left after the military operation in Ukraine began amid reported threats to his family back home. 

Interesting to mention that Napoli only paid €10m fee to sign Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Dinamo Batuni this summer. ⭐️