FC Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez has compared Ousmane Dembele to PSG superstar Neymar after a breathtaking performance in the UEFA Champions League last night, with Liverpool reportedly interested in the winger.
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo after Barca’s 5-1 win against Viktoria Plzen in their Champions League opener, the Catalan manager lauded Dembele for his display as the France international bagged two assists for the La Liga giants whilst Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick for his new club.
It was a return to form for Barcelona in the Champions League after last season’s misery saw Xavi’s side crash out of the group stages for the first time in decades, yet Barcelona look favourites to progress alongside Bayern Munich this year after a 5-1 win at the Camp Nou, with Dembele one of the stars of the show.
The 25-year-old attacker signed a new contract in the summer after a year of speculation, with Liverpool one of the last sides reportedly interested in Dembele before the forward committed his future to Barcelona, and the Reds have seemingly missed out on a gem of a signing.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were humbled 4-1 against Napoli on the same night of Dembele’s masterclass for Barcelona, and according to Xavi, the winger’s performance reminded him of Neymar during his time in La Liga, who the Barca boss played alongside under Luis Enrique.
Xavi said: “He is happy, he provides assists, he makes a difference, he is a dagger on the wing and he is being decisive. I’ve seen few players with that ability in one-on-one situations. He is at the level of the best version of Neymar. He had suffered a lot in recent years and he deserves what he has now.”
Dembele’s Champions League display for Barcelona will hurt Liverpool
Liverpool’s business in the transfer window has left much to be desired even with the Reds going all out to sign Darwin Nunez, and whilst the Uruguayan attacker has impressed in bursts, am experienced winger like Dembele could have been an incredible addition to Klopp’s squad, with Barcelona reaping the rewards in the Champions League.
Indeed, keeping hold of Dembele was arguably the best piece of business Barcelona managed all summer, and in the long-term, the attacker could finally hit his true potential that made so many clubs, including Liverpool, chase the 25-year-old for so long.
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