Jonathan Woodgate feels reported Liverpool transfer target Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain would ‘frighten’ any defender, even Virgil Van Dijk, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Mbappe stunned Woodgate with his fearsome pace as PSG crashed out of the Champions League to Real Madrid on Wednesday. The Frenchman proved a constant threat during the last 16 second-leg tie, but was unable to stop the Galacticos from eliminating Les Parisiens.
It appeared a complete mismatch from Carlo Ancelotti to task Dani Carvajal with marking Mbappe on the Galacticos’ right flank. He ran rings around the full-back, who ultimately resorted to bodying Mbappe out of bounds to stop him running free at Thibaut Courtois.
Mbappe broke the deadlock at the Santiago Bernabeu in the 39th-minute for his second goal of the last 16 tie. He now has six in eight Champions League appearances this season and 25 in 35 in all competitions so far. The 23-year-old has also laid on 17 assists this term.
The Bernabeu was just Mbappe’s playground whilst Paris Saint-Germain led Real Madrid on aggregate. Neymar freed the forward after latching onto a loose ball in the centre, before he toyed with Courtois, feinted to shoot right only to slam home at the Belgian’s near post.
PSG looked set to see the game out from there, and almost stretched their lead further as Mbappe humbled Courtois. The 2018 World Cup winner sat the goalkeeper down inside his six-yard box with a beautiful, outrageous dummy. But he was a mile offside in the build-up.
Woodgate claims Liverpool target Kylian Mbappe of PSG can ‘frighten’ Van Dijk
Mbappe left Woodgate in awe with the Liverpool transfer target’s pace to run free and give Real Madrid endless issues. His display will no doubt also give Jurgen Klopp further reason to keep the Reds in the race for his signature with Anfield attractive for Mbappe, per Sport.
“The pace of Kylian Mbappe would frighten any defender, including Virgil van Dijk,” he said. “He is that quick. Real Madrid are playing high and pushing right up the pitch. Mbappe will stay and not always track Dani Carvajal, which will leave a large amount of space.”
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