Liverpool supporters may be feeling some withdrawal symptoms this summer after weeks without seeing their team in action.
After such a brilliant campaign for Arne Slot’s men, fans will have never wanted it to end.
Alas, as it always does, the summer has rolled around and club football has ground to a halt.
Fear not, though, Liverpool fans, as in lieu of a senior international tournament, there is a European U21 Championship to get stuck into.
To help you get into the swing of the competition, which kicks off this Wednesday in Slovakia, Rousing The Kop enlisted the help of journalist Graeme Bailey to help pick out 15 talents who every Liverpool supporter should know about.
Photo By Ricardo Larreina/Europa Press via Getty Images
Photo By Ricardo Larreina/Europa Press via Getty Images
Spain and Italy boast top talents
In a group containing Italy and Spain there are always going to be some big talents on show, and according to Bailey, Liverpool should be keeping an eye on several centre-backs and central midfielders from both of these two heavyweight nations.
“We know Liverpool have been keeping an eye on the boy from Valencia, Cristhian Mosquera. He is potentially available this summer and has plenty of interest,” he says.
As well as Mosquera, Bailey picks out Valencia teammate and centre-back partner Cesar Tarrega as being a player who could soon be gracing one of Europe’s bigger sides.
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Elsewhere for Spain, Benat Turrientes is backed to become a household name following the tournament.
“Turrientes plays alongside Martin Zubimendi for Real Sociedad, but doesn’t tend to get the same recognition,” says Bailey.
“There could be a lot more teams becoming aware of him following this competition.”
In terms of Italy, Bailey picks out midfield pair Cher Ndour of Fiorentina and Roma’s Nicolo Pisilli as the cream of the crop.
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French, Dutch and Portuguese join the party
Along with Spain and Italy, France, the Netherlands and Portugal tend to take some burgeoning stars along to these tournaments.
And according to Bailey, this year is no different. In fact, the journalist is backing Portugal’s Roger Fernandes as potentially the most talented player in the competition.
“All of the big clubs in Europe are watching Roger Fernandes, including Liverpool,” he says. “This boy has got a lot of quality.
“He may not be a starter initially as this Portugal squad has some big-hitters, but he is my favourite talent heading into the tournament.”
Photo by Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Photo by Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Along with Fernandes, Bailey picks out Netherlands and AZ Alkmaar winger Ruben van Bommel, son of former Barcelona star Mark, as another forward player to keep an eye on, with a mention for attacking midfielder Ezechiel Banzuzi as well.
Completing the Dutch trio is reported Liverpool target Jorrel Hato, who, according to Bailey, is currently being viewed as a left-back by interested clubs.
In terms of the talent-filled French squad, Bailey notes Liverpool’s interest in Nathan Zeze, but suggests Strasbourg’s Ismael Doukoure could be worth keeping an even closer eye on.
“Doukoure is part of the Chelsea stable at Strasbourg, but he is keen to forge his own path. He is one to watch and is likely to start alongside Castello Lukeba,” he says.
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Danish and Ukrainian talents set to make waves
Finally, Bailey is backing a talented quartet from the so-called ‘smaller’ nations to make a name for themselves in Slovakia.
“Vladyslav Vanat of Ukraine is coming into the tournament very highly rated indeed,” says Bailey. “He has already played for the senior side and is attracting interest from clubs in the Premier League.”
Having scored 21 goals for Dynamo Kyiv this season, Vanat could be worth tracking for Liverpool fans desperate for a new number nine.
Another Ukrainian to get Bailey’s seal of approval is centre-back Arseniy Batahov. Another 23-year-old, Batahov has starred for Turkish side Trabzonspor this season.
As well as Ukraine, Denmark are another to boast a pair of standout talents, with Bailey suggesting left wing-back Clement Bischoff of Brondby is very much on the radar.
“I wouldn’t say Liverpool are sweet on Bischoff but they’re certainly aware of him,” says the reporter.
“Midfielder Noah Nartey is another Brondby player courting attention and he could be a breakout star as well.”
With Liverpool scouts set to converge on Slovakia to run the rule over all of these talents and more, we could be hearing a lot more of some of these names very soon indeed.