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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Why Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti will target two Liverpool players in Champions League opener

Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti is ready to target his former players Alisson Becker and Mohamed Salah on Wednesday - so he can take their shirts.

Spaletti was Roma boss when both Alisson and Salah played for the Serie A side before being snapped up by Liverpool.

He will come up against the duo in Napoli's opening Champions League group game against the Reds at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. And Spaletti has explained why the pair have prove huge successes at Anfield - while revealing he is keen to add to his extensive shirt collection.

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“It will be a great satisfaction to once again see Alisson and Mohamed Salah," said the Napoli boss. "I was fortunate enough to coach them both and I will be delighted to see them back in action.

“When Alisson signed for Liverpool from Roma, he was one of the most expensive goalkeepers of all time and despite that, he showed his worth. If you try to compare Alisson in terms of where he ranks in the goalkeeping stakes, he is almost the number nine 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.

“Alisson and Salah are two shirts that I’d like to add to my collection and I’ll embrace him very warmly tomorrow night.”

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