Copa America 2024 kicks off on Friday, and 16 teams will be battling it out for ultimate glory across June and July.
Defending champions and World Cup winners Argentina will begin the tournament with the opening game against Canada, and they will look to go all the way in the competition this year as well. With a multitude of young talents in action along the course of the tournament, several top clubs, including Liverpool, will be on alert, especially with the summer transfer window now open.
Clubs will look to snap up the best young talents in world football as they look to prepare for the upcoming club campaigns. Here at The Hard Tackle, we look at five players Premier League giants Liverpool should consider this summer. They will need to improve their squad during the summer transfer window if they want to win major trophies next season.
Arsenal and Manchester City have formidable squads at their disposal, and Liverpool will have to match up to them as well. With a new manager in the dugout, Liverpool must give him the best possible support by improving the squad and getting rid of their weaknesses.
Santiago Gimenez
The 23-year-old Feyenoord striker has been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months. Real Madrid have been linked with him as well. Liverpool could certainly use a reliable goalscorer like him, especially with the way Darwin Nunez has performed this past season.
The Uruguayan international remains a quality player. But he is not a reliable finisher. Liverpool need someone who can lead the line for them and score goals consistently. Gimenez has certainly proven his quality with the Dutch outfit, and he will look to make his mark in the Copa America with Mexico now.
The Mexican striker scored 26 goals in all competitions last season, and he could be the ideal fit for Liverpool. Furthermore, he has played under Arne Slot at Feyenoord, and reuniting with the Dutch manager at Liverpool could be an exciting proposition for the player.
Valentin Carboni
The 19-year-old attacking midfielder is certainly one of the most talented young players in the Copa America this summer. The Argentine international will look to make his mark at the international level, and Liverpool should be keeping tabs on him.
They need more creativity uncontrolled from the central areas, especially after the departure of Thiago Alcantara. Although Carboni is not a central midfielder and he operates in a more advanced role, he can be coached into an advanced playmaker. The youngster is versatile enough to operate in the wide areas, and he will add goals and creativity to the side.
The Inter Milan midfielder was on loan at AC Monza last season, and he impressed with his performances. Liverpool could nurture him into a future star. The technically-gifted midfielder will add creativity, technical ability, vision, and flair to the side.
Exequiel Palacios
The 25-year-old Bayer Leverkusen midfielder had an impressive season in the Bundesliga, and he helped them win the league. It will be interesting to see if he is given regular opportunities in the Copa America with Argentina now.
Liverpool could certainly use a combative midfielder like Palacios, who will chip in with goals, creativity, and defensive contributions. The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder is exceptional when it comes to tackling and interceptions. He will add defensive cover to the Liverpool midfield next season.
Liverpool were missing a specialist defensive midfielder, and they signed Wataru Endo to fill the void left by Fabinho. Although the Japanese international has done quite well, he is in his thirties and Liverpool need more quality and depth in that department. Palacios is not a specialist defensive midfielder, but he will help out defensively. He has the defensive discipline to tighten things up in the middle of the park for the Reds.
Piero Hincapie
The Ecuador international will look to make his mark in Copa America this summer, and he has been a key player for his club as well. Hincapie was instrumental in Bayer Leverkusen winning the Bundesliga title win last season.
The youngster is capable of operating as a central defender as well as a left-back. He could be the ideal acquisition for Liverpool in the defence this summer. The Reds need more depth in the defensive unit, and Hincapie seems like the perfect fit.
He could be the long-term replacement for club captain Virgil Van Dijk, and he could slot in as the left back and prove to be an upgrade on Andrew Robertson as well. The Scottish international looked quite vulnerable defensively last season, and Liverpool could use a more defensive option in that area Apart from his defensive skills, the 21-year-old is an excellent partner from the deep as well.
Willian Pacho
The Eintracht Frankfurt defender has been linked with a move to Arsenal in recent months, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up. The 22-year-old has proven himself in the Bundesliga, and he is certainly good enough for the Premier League as well.
Liverpool need to find a quality replacement for Joel Matip, who left the club upon the expiry of his contract. So, signing Willian Pacho could prove to be a wise decision. He will add physicality and defensive cover to their back line. The 22-year-old is likely to improve with coaching and experience, and he could develop into a key player for the Reds in the coming seasons.
