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Arne Slot has poured cold water on speculation that Liverpool could sign Napoli sensation Kvicha Kavratskhelia.
The Dutchman addressed the media at AXA Training Centre on Friday ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie against Accrington Stanley, and he downplayed talk that the Reds are in the hunt to sign the Georgian superstar.
“When you said they are linked with clubs, we are all linked! Kavratskhelia, it is January, and I said after West Ham, don’t disappoint me with links. That is what is happening now 99/100 at the end of the window,” Slot said.
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“Almost all of these stories are untrue, so what can I comment about? The rumours keep going but no comments from my side.”
The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported on Thursday that Liverpool was keeping tabs on Kavratskhelia, were he permitted to leave Naples this month. Paris Saint-Germain have also been credited with an interest in the 23-year-old.
Napoli have placed an $82 million price tag on the winger, and PSG’s interest seems much more serious and advanced than Liverpool’s. Fabrizio Romano reports the French giants are in “direct negotiations” with Napoli and Kavratskhelia.
Liverpool’s interest in signing a winger has doubtless been influenced by Federico Chiesa’s underwhelming start to life at Anfield. The former Juventus star has made just one substitute appearance in the Premier league, with the 27-year-old struggling for match fitness.
But a cup tie against League Two opposition represents an opportunity for the Italian to get some valuable minutes under his belt.
Slot said: “Every game is a chance for everyone to play, it’s not only for [Chiesa] been difficult because [of] match fitness.
“He has to compete with Gakpo, Diaz, Jota, Nunez, Salah. Everyone knows the numbers Salah brings, not many reasons to bring him out and also he is so fit. “And he does everything so well to keep fit and he shows up.
“So it is not always about Federico with his limited playing time but he definitely has to deal with the way he came in. Rest were already training a lot and we had to bring him in to get match fitness. Let’s see how much he can help us because second half more important than first.”