'Kvaradona': Napoli's rising Georgian star ready to sink Liverpool

Kvaratskhelia has been nicknamed "Kvaradona" after scoring four times and setting up another goal in the first five rounds of Serie A fixtures.

The Georgian will be leading Napoli's bid for a big win in their Group A opener at the Stadio Maradona, especially as Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen is a doubt with a muscular problem.

Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti (63) has been keen to dampen expectations of the 21-year-old, who arrived from Dinamo Batumi in his home country but who had already impressed over three years at Rubin Kazan before leaving following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"He's a really sweet kid, a good kid, one of those who at times doesn't want to be in certain situations because he's so timid," said Spalletti on Saturday after his latest match-winning display at Lazio.

"When you see him walk about he's all floppy like he's on springs, but when you give him the ball he knows how to move.

"He's got a quality in how he strikes the ball and brings down anything you throw at him."

Liverpool travel to Italy on Wednesday following a disappointing 0-0 draw in the Merseyside derby, and will be looking to start their Champions League campaign off with a win.

The likes of Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz will be hoping to impress in their opening encounter, while summer addition Fabio Carvalho could have to wait for his European debut after getting a dead leg against Everton.

The Reds reached the final of the competition last season where they lost 1-0 to Real Madrid, as Vinicis Junior scored the only goal.

Napoli, Ajax and Rangers await Jurgen Klopp's side in Group A this time around, as the 2022/23 Champions League season gets underway.