Even if Liverpool is not participating in the current Champions League season, Jurgen Klopp and company still have their sights set on winning a seventh European Cup.
Liverpool fans, who saw their team win the most prestigious championship in Europe for the last time in 2019, are hoping for another deep run into the Champions League knockout stages as they try to add another trophy to their collection.
Only record champions Real Madrid and seven-time winners AC Milan have won as many Champions League crowns as Liverpool, the Merseyside team presently tied with Bundesliga team Bayern Munich on six titles.
In light of this, GIVEMESPORT has selected five players from around the globe of football that could support Liverpool in their pursuit of the next Champions League championship.
Piero Hincapie
Let’s face it, Reds: Virgil van Dijk isn’t the same player he used to be. This season, the Dutch defender has let us down several times. Not that his time wearing a Liverpool shirt should be ending, but Klopp would benefit from having another talented defender in the lineup.
Liverpool might get one of the top young defenders in the world of football in Piero Hincapie, who could lead the Reds’ defense for the majority of the ensuing ten years. The 21-year-old youngster from Bayer Leverkusen has made an impression in the German top division, and Xabi Alonso, a former Liverpool icon, is even coaching him.
The football statistics website FBref indicates that Hincapie averages more than two tackles every ninety minutes, more than twice as many as van Dijk does in a game. Furthermore, Hincapie would get the opportunity to learn from van Dijk directly if the Ecuadorian international were signed at this young age, which could only help the inexperienced defender.
Nonetheless, Ben Jacobs of GIVEMESPORT reports that Hincapie is being considered by Newcastle United, one of the Premier League teams that has already been mentioned as expressing interest. Liverpool need to be all over this deal in the upcoming transfer windows only on the basis of that.
Rafael Leao
From one of the brightest prospects in Europe to a player who has already made a name for himself as one of the greatest on the continent. Rafael Leao is not only well suited to play for Klopp at Anfield, but the Portuguese winger may also be able to assist Liverpool in resolving a significant issue that looks to be approaching.
Even if Mohamed Salah was turned down by the Premier League winners for 2019–20 in the summer, there is still anticipation that the Egyptian star could leave Liverpool soon. Reporter Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT earlier this year that Liverpool is “preparing for life without Salah,” suggesting a high-profile transfer to Saudi Arabia may not be far off.
When the former player from Chelsea and Roma leaves the Merseyside team, Klopp will be in severe need of a winger who can equal Salah’s amazing goal production. He might find just that in Leao, as FBref has the AC Milan star in the top 12 percent of attackers for goals scored without a penalty per ninety minutes.
Leao scores an open-play goal around every other game, which shows he has the potential to partially close the gap Salah left behind. Furthermore, Liverpool ought to be able to meet AC Milan’s high demands for players with the money they received in exchange for Salah.
Toni Kroos
There aren’t many better choices on the market than five-time champion Toni Kroos for any club hoping to improve their chances of winning the Champions League, especially one with Liverpool’s history in the game.
Kroos, a player who has recently come to be associated more or less with Real Madrid’s achievements, may be ready to leave the Santiago Bernabeu in pursuit of fresh opportunities. This is because the player’s contract with Los Blancos, which pays ÂŁ310,000 a week, is set to expire at the end of the current campaign, and discussions over a renewal have recently stagnated.
Of course, Kroos isn’t Liverpool’s long-term answer, and he might not even be a starting eleven option. However, considering the midfield makeover they completed last season—which included the departures of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, and Naby Keita—there does seem to be a deficiency of Champions League experience among Liverpool’s players.
By signing Kroos to a short-term deal, the Reds should have a sophisticated operator in the middle of the park who has also been there and done it numerous times before. Additionally, the signing won’t hinder the development of young players like Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, and Alexis Mac Allister.
Valentin Barco
Who’s to say only European talent can be of use to Liverpool in their search for a seventh European Cup, ey?
Current Champions League holders Manchester City reaped the rewards of raiding the South American market last season when Julian Alvarez arrived from River Plate and helped fire the Blues to a maiden European Cup win. And Liverpool could do the same by signing talented youngster Valentin Barco from Boca Juniors this season.
Who’s to say Liverpool can only benefit from European quality in their quest for a seventh European Cup, huh?
Last season, when Julian Alvarez joined from River Plate and helped lead the Blues to their first-ever European Cup victory, Manchester City, the current Champions League holders, reaped the benefits of breaking into the South American market. Additionally, Liverpool may follow suit this season by acquiring Boca Juniors’ gifted young player Valentin Barco.
Jamal Musiala
Should you first be unsuccessful in signing Jude Bellingham as your top target, why not pursue a player that shares a similar age range, technical proficiency, and growth potential? Well, that may be a little harsh on Jamal Musiala and Bellingham, but there are undoubtedly similarities between the two excellent midfield players and their current careers.
Before Liverpool was priced out of a bid for the now-Real Madrid player, Bellingham was called the team’s “main summer target.” If they manage to steal Musiala from Bayern Munich, though, it might lessen the disappointment of losing out on Bellingham. According to recent reports from Transfer Insider Dean Jones, who spoke with GIVEMESPORT, Liverpool has been monitoring Musiala and wants to be in the best possible position to sign the 20-year-old should Bayern Munich decide to sell.
The 2023 Golden Boy nominee, who is regarded as one of the top midfield players on the continent, has excelled for Bayern Munich despite being left out of the starting lineup. Should Liverpool be offered the chance to sign Musiala, they ought to seize it with both hands.
