Jurgen Klopp has made his admiration for Nicolò Barella no secret ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League meetings with Inter.
The Italy international didn’t play the first leg and won’t be available at Anfield tonight following a two-match ban received after the last group stage game against Real Madrid in December. Inter had already qualified for the Round of 16, but Barella reacted to a foul of Eder Militao, getting a straight red card and the consequent two-match suspension.
He has been one of Inter and Italy’s best players in the last two seasons and Klopp was happy to know that he wouldn’t play any of Inter’s two games against the Reds.
“It’s not bad for us! Barella is a really, really good player. He has all the things you want from a midfielder. But the replacement might be Vidal so that’s experience at its best. He played everywhere top level,” the coach said before the first leg.
Vidal did replace Barella at San Siro, but Inter lost 2-0. They’ll be looking to bounce back tonight, but their task at Anfield will be arduous. Vidal is once again tipped to start in the middle of the park in place of Barella, but during a pre-match press conference yesterday, Klopp once again praised the Italy midfielder.
“I am really happy that Nicolò Barella isn’t playing as he had a hand in four goals,” he said.
“Inter are a really good team; they don’t come here as tourists. They want to attack the game. Let’s see what we can get from it.”
Barella has recently signed a contract extension with Inter until 2026. The 25-year-old has scored two goals and delivered 10 assists in 35 appearances across all competitions this season.
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