Transfers

2022 World Cup | Five players Liverpool should monitor in Qatar ahead of January move

Liverpool’s 2022/23 campaign got off to a nightmare start.


After 14 games of the season, the Reds have lost four and conceded 17. In comparison, Liverpool only lost twice in the entirety of 2021/22 and conceded 26 goals in 38 matches.

So, it seems clear that some fresh legs this January would help Liverpool out.

With the January transfer window a few weeks away from opening, rumours are becoming intense over whether Liverpool will bring in any new players.

And now that the mid-season break has started due to the World Cup in Qatar, speculation is only likely to ramp up.

The World Cup, though, represents a great chance for Liverpool to scout some potential new faces ahead of targeting them in January.

And now, 101GreatGoals has picked out five players Liverpool should scout this winter.

Jude Bellingham (England)

Jude Bellingham has been on Liverpool’s radar for some time now and is sure to have the attention of many top European clubs this winter.

Bellingham possesses all the traits required of an all-round central midfielder. He is fast, strong, is capable of taking players on and his passing is excellent.

Given Liverpool’s ageing/out-of-form midfield options, it is imperative they bring in some reinforcements in the near future and Bellingham is likely to be top of their list.

Bellingham is expected to partner Declan Rice in the centre of England’s midfield in Qatar due to Kalvin Phillips’ injuries seeing him play very little football this season.

Josko Gvardiol (Croatia)

At just 20 years old, Gvardiol has a bright future ahead of him.

Starting out at Dinamo Zagreb, the Croatian sealed a move to RB Leipzig in 2021, where he proved to be one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga and has performed well in the Champions League.

This saw the Croatian attract the interest of English powerhouse, Chelsea. But as they have since signed Wesley Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly, their interest in Gvardiol is likely to have faded.

What may be Chelsea’s loss could be Liverpool’s gain, though. Gvardiol is a well-rounded modern centre-back who combines his strength and defensive awareness with great on-the-ball ability.

Gvardiol is also left-footed, a trait Liverpool currently lack in their centre-back options.

Jonathan David (Canada)

Jonathan David signed for Lille in 2020 and has since gone on to impress in France.

Despite only being 22, he has scored 41 and assisted eight for the French outfit.

David is having a particularly fruitful 2022/23 season, netting nine and assisting three in 15 outings to date.

The Canadian’s nine goals makes him one of the top scorers in Europe’s top five leagues this season.

And whilst Liverpool did recently sign Darwin Nunez to play up front, the Uruguayan can also play on the left and Roberto Firmino is getting on in years, so David could replace the Brazilian.

Ismaila Sarr (Senegal)

Whilst Liverpool have a number of quality attacking options on their books, they lack any real depth at right-wing.

Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez can all operate on the left flank, with the latter two also competent up top.

However, barring Mohamed Salah, the Reds do not have any great options on the right. Granted Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho can play there if needed, but it is clear Jurgen Klopp would rather play them in midfield.

So, Ismaila Sarr, who Liverpool have been linked on and off with for several years, would likely be a good player to scout this winter.

Sarr is a vey similar winger to Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, using his electrifying pace and quick feet to get in behind defenders with ease.

And at 24, he is only just coming into his prime years, with a good display at the World Cup expected to attract plenty of suitors.

Gonzalo Montiel (Argentina)

After selling Neco Williams to Nottingham Forest over the summer, Liverpool currently have just one natural right-back on their books in Trent Alexander-Arnold.

However, Trent has been in woeful form this season and continues to cost his side goals.

James Milner and Joe Gomez can both fill in for TAA, but Liverpool do need to sign some natural right-back cover.

One player they should keep an eye on this winter is Gonzalo Montiel, who joined Sevilla in 2021 and has since impressed for the Spanish outfit.

Montiel also made his Argentina debut in 2019 and has racked up 17 appearances for his country.

2022 World Cup: 101 best & funniest FIFA World Cup Fantasy team names

FIFA 2022 World Cup Fantasy: Top 10 forwards to sign

Josh Barker

Josh Barker

Middlesbrough fan from the North East of England. @JoshBarker979 on Twitter.


Related Content