Liverpool reportedly monitored Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s situation at Napoli. They were considering a mid-season move for the winger before the close of the winter transfer window. This was after longstanding interest in the Georgian international.
However, Liverpool decided against submitting a bid when Napoli agreed to let Kvaratskhelia leave. Paris Saint-Germain then signed Kvaratskhelia for an initial €70 million on January 17.
Liverpool’s Missed Opportunity
This proved a massive sliding-doors moment for both teams. Liverpool went on to win the 2024-25 Premier League. However, they’ve since collapsed, partly due to their failure to sign a Luis Diaz replacement last summer.
PSG, with Kvaratskhelia, won the Champions League for the first time, beating Liverpool along the way. They’re now expected to eliminate Arne Slot’s side again as they look to retain their European crown.
Liverpool knew earlier than most of Europe’s top teams that Kvaratskhelia was destined for greatness.
Kvaratskhelia’s Impact at Napoli
Kvaratskhelia arrived in Naples in July 2022 as a complete unknown. Within months, locals nicknamed him ‘Kvaradona’. This was a reference to his Diego Maradona-like dribbling.
Italian football fans were impressed by Kvaratskhelia’s displays in the Serie A season. He came to the attention of the rest of Europe during Napoli’s 4-1 victory over Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool on the opening matchday of the 2022-23 Champions League.
Champions League Masterclass Against Liverpool
Kvaratskhelia tormented Trent Alexander-Arnold. He beat the right-back almost at will, teeing up Giovanni Simeone for Napoli’s third goal. Alexander-Arnold simply couldn’t cope with Kvaradona.
Kvaratskhelia made Joe Gomez look foolish in the build-up to Napoli’s second and third goals. He also twice embarrassed Fabinho in the same jinking run that went viral.
Klopp said that the only way they could have possibly nullified Kvaratskhelia was preventing the ball from getting to him. Once it did, there was no stopping him.