Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp lavished praise on Atalanta striker Gianluca Scamacca this week.

The West Ham United flop showed that he could be handful against English teams.

He scored twice in a 3-0 win for the Italians at Anfield in their Europa League quarter final first leg.

Ahead of the second leg, Klopp told reporters: “He was exceptional against us. He was really, really good – in England we say he was a 'handful'! He is difficult to play against, great in the air and great on the floor.

“I liked him when he was at West Ham, I didn't know him too well when he came to West Ham. It didn't work out there 100 per cent but that can happen because the Premier League is a difficult league to play but you can see he has great quality.

“I don't know now all the other Italian strikers, to be honest, to compare them – well, I know them all but I don't know who is contention to be the No.9 for Italy and who is not.

“But for a specific way of playing I would say he is a fantastic option. He is a real focus player, he can bring the ball down, gives you time to push up, is a threat in the box, has speed as well: that's a really interesting package.

“Yes, he made a big difference in that game but we didn't make it too difficult for him as well so we should make it a little bit more difficult tomorrow."