With UEFA Euro 2024 just around the corner, we look at five players Liverpool should keep an eye on in the month-long extravaganza.
Several elite young talents will be in action this summer, looking to help their nation to European glory. With the transfer window in full swing as well, clubs around the world will be keeping their eyes peeled on the elite young talents on display in Germany this summer. Here at The Hard Tackle, we look at five young players Liverpool should be keeping tabs on during Euro 2024.
Liverpool need to improve multiple areas of their squad if they are serious about challenging Manchester City or Arsenal in the upcoming season. They should look to improve their defensive unit, the midfield and their attack.
Florian Wirtz
The 21-year-old is arguably the hottest young talent in European football right now after helping Bayer Leverkusen to an unforgettable league title win. The German international had 18 goals and 20 assists to his name in all competitions this past season, and he will look to make his mark in the European Championships with Germany.
The host nation will be hoping to win the tournament this time around, and Wirtz will be a key player for them. Liverpool need his ingenuity, flair, creativity and vision in the final third. He is capable of operating as the central attacking midfielder as well as a winger. The Reds are in need of someone like him, especially with Mohamed Salah facing an uncertain future at the club.
The Egyptian has been Liverpool’s main source of creativity in recent seasons, and the Reds will have to replace his end product if he moves on. Wirtz will ship in with goals and creativity. His versatility will be an added bonus as well. The German international has also been linked with Real Madrid in recent weeks.
Johan Bakayoko
The Belgian winger has had an impressive campaign with PSV Eindhoven, and he scored 14 goals in all competitions. The highly-rated winger picked up 14 assists along the way as well. Bakayoko is capable of operating as the right sided winger, and he could be the ideal long term alternative to Mohamed Salah if the Egyptian is sold in the summer.
Salah’s contract comes to an end in 2025, and Liverpool could consider cashing in on him. Bakayoko is versatile enough to operate on the left flank as well, and his arrival will add some much needed depth and quality to the Liverpool attack.
Liverpool are currently genuine dribblers who can take on defenders and beat them in one-versus-one situations. Bakayoko is one of those players who can create goal scoring opportunities out of nothing. He could be a long term asset for Liverpool if they can get the deal done. However, Liverpool might face stiff competition from Chelsea, Manchester United, and others for his signature.
Riccardo Calafiori
The 22-year-old Italian international will be one to watch this summer in the European Championships. He can operate as a central defender as well as a left-back. Calafiori’s defensive qualities and ability on the ball makes him the ideal profile of player for Liverpool. Chelsea are keeping tabs on him as well.
The Reds need to start planning the succession of Virgil Van Dijk, and Calafiori could be the ideal long term replacement for the club captain. For now, he could fill the void left by Joel Matip, who is leaving the club as a free agent this summer.
Calafiori is capable of operating as the left-back as well, and he could push Andrew Robertson for the starting spot. The Scottish defender has been quite mediocre this past season, and Liverpool could certainly use a defensive left back like the Italian.
Zeno Debast
The Belgian defender is highly rated around Europe, and he has a bright future ahead of himself. His performances have been rather impressive with Anderlecht this past season, and he will look to showcase his qualities in the European Championships with Belgium.
The 20-year-old can operate as a central defender as well as a defensive midfielder. His ability to read the game and his quality when it comes to distribution from the back could make him an invaluable asset for Liverpool.
The Reds tend to prefer defenders who are good with the ball at their feet, and Debast would be a superb acquisition. The 20-year-old could develop into a key player for Liverpool in the coming seasons.
With players like Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate prone to picking up injuries, Liverpool need adequate depth in the defence. Signing a versatile central defender like Calafiori and someone like Debast would be the ideal window for them. The young defender is thought to be on the radar of West Ham United and Newcastle United.
Alex Baena
The 22-year-old Villarreal midfielder is excellent when it comes to stitching the play together in the middle of the park and carving out goalscoring opportunities for his teammates. The midfielder picked up 18 assists in all competitions for the Spanish club this past season, and Liverpool could certainly use his creativity.
The Reds will have to replace the creativity and ingenuity of Thiago Alcantara next season. The Spanish international has left the club on a free transfer, and Baena could be his ideal long term successor. Arsenal, Chelsea, and Barcelona have been linked with the player as well.