Kvicha Kvaratskhelia has explained how hearing the Champions League music in person for the first time 'really helped' him shine in Napoli's Champions League win against Liverpool.
The Reds came away from the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium shell-shocked after kicking off their European campaign with a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Napoli back in September. Kvaratskhelia was outstanding on that evening, setting up Giovanni Simeone for the Italian outfit's third goal and playing a key role in the opening two as he terrorised Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez on Liverpool's right.
The 21-year-old Georgian had enjoyed an excellent start to the domestic season in Serie A, but his performance against Jurgen Klopp's side that evening - his first in the Europe - truly propelled the winger into the eyes of the world. And speaking to Crocobet, the Napoli star detailed how hearing the famous Champions League song in the build-up pumped him up for the tie.
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“When I listened to the theme tune as a kid, I never thought I would experience it live on the pitch," Kvaratskhelia said. "My first dream was to play in the Champions League, as hearing that anthem pumps you up like nothing else. I felt it so strongly in that first game against Liverpool and I think it really helped.”
He added on his performance in the win: “After every game, my first thought is that I didn’t do enough, that I am missing something. I have achieved nothing yet, there’s a long road ahead of me and I want to make the fans happy while realising my dreams.”
Kvaratskhelia's form has only improved since that evening in Naples, with the young winger racking up an outstanding eight goals and 10 assists in 17 appearances across all competitions. Luciano Spalletti's side topped Group A, despite the Reds beating them 2-0 in the final game at Anfield - Luciano Spalletti's side are also top of Serie A and unbeaten in their opening 15 matches.
Liverpool and a number of other top European clubs have been linked with the winger after his blistering beginning to the campaign.
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