Although Liverpool aren’t in action until tomorrow, they’ll have had their eyes on the action today regardless.
With it being an FA Cup weekend, the Reds will have been watching some potential semi-final opponents. And if they’d tuned in to watch Wolves vs Coventry this afternoon, they’ll have seen an excellent game. They’ll have also seen a potential transfer target having a quite incredible match.
Yes, according to reports out of Algeria, Liverpool are back in for Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri this summer. And although they ended up on the losing side, Ait-Nouri showed exactly why against Coventry today.
As well as finishing a superb equaliser, the 22-year-old laid on Hugo Bueno’s go-ahead goal with a sensational run and pass. And it was that piece of magic that led ITV commentator Ally McCoist to rave about Ait-Nouri.
“What a piece of skill from Ait-Nouri. It’s amazing. It’s beautiful play. The way he takes it in here, look at this,” gushed McCoist.
“This pass, ridiculous. It really is a ridiculous pass. Just completely takes the two defenders out of the play. Magnificent. Ait-Nouri in last five minutes or so has been different class and he’s been the difference between the two teams.”
McCoist blown away by Ait-Nouri
With Wolves heading out of the FA Cup today, Ait-Nouri put his team on his back and dragged them back into the lead.
Seemingly playing in just about every position on the pitch at one point, the Algeria international was very impressive indeed.
Having scored his first goal in a long, long time last weekend, he got another today with a nice, volleyed finish. His run and slotted through ball to set up Bueno really was then worthy of the praise McCoist lavished on it.
Unfortunately for Ait-Nouri, his teammates couldn’t hold up their end of the bargain. Remarkably, Coventry came back, scoring twice in injury-time to book their place in the semi-final at Wembley.
From Liverpool’s point of view, this could obviously be good news. If they can make it through to the semis themselves tomorrow, they’d much rather face Coventry than Wolves.
It also showed exactly why they may be tracking Ait-Nouri. Everything about his performance today was indicative of a player who is starting to outgrow his team.
Still only 22, the former Angers defender still has a lot of improving to do. But there are clear signs that he is now ready to go up a level or two.
If he can continue turning in this kind of performance, then Liverpool’s interest is unlikely to go away.
