Fabio Capello is wondering if Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have the ‘best attack in Europe’ following the Champions League quarter-final victory over Benfica, speaking to Sky Italia.
As Manchester United completed an unprecedented treble all the way back in 1999, Sir Alex Ferguson was indebted to one of football’s greatest ever strikeforces; Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Teddy Sheringham and, of course, Camp Nou hero Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
If Liverpool succeed in emulating their North West neighbours 23 years later, much of the credit will go to a forward-line boasting quality and quantity in abundance.
It’s a testament to Liverpool’s remarkable strength in depth Roberto Firmino is arguably Klopp’s fifth-choice these days. Behind Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota and the effervescent Luis Diaz.
But, with Salah and Mane watching on from the sidelines ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City, Firmino seized his chance to take centre stage when Benfica came to town, scoring twice on the night while rolling back the years with a stunning first-time volley from Kostas Tsimikas’ wicked free-kick.
Do Liverpool have the scariest attack in football?
“Is Liverpool’s best attack in Europe?” asks former Milan, Real Madrid and England boss Capello. “When a ball arrives in the box, there is not anyone who’s not ready to score. And then they always attack. Always, always.
“A team that, at Anfield, is drilled in the best possible way in the thought of attacking play.”
Between them, Liverpool’s fantastic five have scored a sensational 79 goals in 2021/22. Takumi Minamino, meanwhile, has netted nine times himself.
Even the seldom-seen Divock Origi – who has agreed a summer move to AC Milan – found the time to score a famous winner at the home of his future employers, and the seven-time European champions, in the December.
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And, if rumours are to be believed, Liverpool’s already star-studded frontline could be even more fearsome in 2023 (The Sun).
The exceptional Darwin Nunez ran the Reds ragged during both legs of their quarter-final clash. Benfica’s £65 million talisman is reportedly open to the idea of joining Salah and co at Anfield this summer.
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