Liverpool’s reported interest in Milan Skriniar merely added another intriguing subplot to a Champions League tie that already had it’s fair share of talking points on Wednesday night.
But while the Slovakian centre-back ended up on the losing side – Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah scoring within eight minutes of each other to take a 2-0 lead back to Anfield – Skriniar can at least hold his head high, his personal pride intact.
Speaking ahead of the game, Paolo Di Canio claimed that Skriniar’s lack of pace would be exposed by Jurgen Klopp’s fearsome, fleet-footed frontline.
He couldn’t have been more wrong. Because, what Skriniar lacks in speed, he more than makes up for in positioning, commitment and spirit.
It was largely down to him that the dangerous Mane mustered only two shots all night – and both from set-pieces.
There were four tackles, three clearances and a further two interceptions, not to mention an 80 per cent pass completion rate (WhoScored). That final statistic should not be underestimated either. Especially given the frantic nature of a breathless encounter and Liverpool’s ferocious high press.
Skriniar looked like the complete central defender. A remorseless, almost Terminator-like figure, custom-built for these occasions and programmed to throw everything in the way of his own goalline.
‘I need your clothes, your boots and a clean sheet’.
Could Liverpool sign Inter’s Milan Skriniar?
“We put in a good performance against a great team,” Skriniar said full-time, via Sempre Inter. “One of the strongest teams in the world.”
According to Tuttomercatoweb, Liverpool were planning to open talks with Skriniar this month regarding a potential switch to Anfield. His contract has just over 12 months left to run. A cash-strapped Inter may prefer to cash in now than risk losing him on a free.
And while Skriniar wouldn’t find it easy to oust Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate – two muscle-bound mountains at the heart of Klopp’s brilliant backline – he certainly passed his Liverpool audition with something approaching flying colours.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
