"He's the strongest..." - Father of Liverpool transfer target claims his son is better than Salah

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s father has claimed his son is better than Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

The Georgian star has been one of Europe’s surprise packages this term.

Having signed for Napoli from Dinamo Batumi last July, Kvaratskhelia has lit up Serie A, netting 11 goals and providing 14 assists in just 23 matches to help Gli Azzurri move 15 points clear at the summit.

Such performances have seen the 22-year-old linked to some of the biggest clubs across Europe.

Indeed, a Fichajes report has claimed Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester City are in a three-way battle to sign Kvaratskhelia.

Is Kvaratskhelia better than Salah?

Kvaratskhelia’s father, Badri, was asked about the comparisons made between his son and Liverpool’s Salah.

Speaking to Calcio Napoli 24, Kvaratskhelia Sr. said: “It’s a wonderful comparison because Salah is a great footballer who has done extraordinary things with Liverpool and Egypt, but we like Khvicha more.

“Many say that he’s the strongest, for me, he is because I’m the father, but hearing it from others fills me with pride.”

Salah has only netted eight goals and claimed four assists in the Premier League this term. Indeed the Egyptian has not been as devastating in front of goal as in previous seasons for the Reds.

However, across his time at Liverpool Salah has been exceptional, netting 174 goals and claiming 70 assists in 286 games.

Klopp an admirer of Kvaratskhelia

The Georgian international announced himself on the European stage with an impressive performance against Liverpool in the Champions League in November.

The Napoli star received glowing praise from Jurgen Klopp following his battle with Trent Alexander Arnold.

Klopp said: “He’s a good player. Both are good players, so it’s a really difficult one. 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.

“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. A good player and I thought Trent played a really good game against him, was really on fire, didn’t get frustrated by one or two situations where he was second-best, stayed in the game and I liked Trent’s game tonight.”

Topics: Football, Napoli, Mohamed Salah, Liverpool, Premier League, Serie A

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.