All eyes will on Chile by this time next week, where the Copa America competition will have begun in earnest. The South American equivalent of the European Championships will feature the likes of Argentina and Brazil, as well as Liverpool’s player of the season Philippe Coutinho, who will be looking to lead the latter to victory.
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Of course, it’s also a chance for us to eye up several potential new signings. In the list below, we countdown twelve possibilities – one from each squad – and explain how they could do the business at Anfield in the future.
Who do you fancy?
Group A:
Chile – Felipe Gutierrez (FC Twente)
We might have been linked in the press with Arturo Vidal but we all know that’s a non-starter. So instead, we’ve gone with this 24-year-old midfielder, who was voted the best player in the Eredivisie back in 2014. An attacking playmaker who has got goals in him, look for him to be the one that makes this Chile side tick at home in 2015.
Mexico – Raul Jimenez (Atletico Madrid)
We’re in need of a revamp upfront and this 24-year-old striker could be available after failing to hit the ground running in the Spanish capital. After scoring 19 goals during the 2013-14 season he managed just five during the last campaign. However, he’s tall, powerful and a menacing prospect at the top field. He’d be a decent back-up.
Ecuador – Enner Valencia (West Ham United)
Speaking of striker options, what about this one. Valencia has been linked with a move away from the Hammers (via Football Italia) and there’s no reason why the Reds shouldn’t join the chase. The 25-year-old only scored five goals during his first year in East London but has shone on the international stage, even netting against England.
Bolivia – Sebastian Gamarra (AC Milan)
One for the development squad perhaps. It’s pretty slim pickings in the Bolivian squad but this 18-year-old midfielder, who is also capable of playing in defence – think Emre Can – has got a lot of people talking over in Italy. The Reds have one of the best youth teams going so perhaps we could lure him over to England this summer.
Group B:
Argentina – Carlos Tevez (Junventus)
If we’re looking for a marquee signing up front then we couldn’t go far run with this guy – he’s scored goals wherever he’s been. If we can keep his mind on football and stop him from creating headlines for the wrong reasons, as he has done in the past, then we’d have a great player seeing out the final peak years of his career.
Uruguay – Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray)
There’s been a lot of speculation about who’s going to replace Brad Jones this summer. This guy would not only be an exceptional back-up, he’d also be putting big pressure on Simon Mignolet to hold down the first-choice role. He’s been in exceptional form over the last couple of years and there’s no reason he couldn’t do it here as well.
Paraguay – Derlis Gonzalez (Basel)
Still only 21 and looking impressive in Switzerland. In the past, he’s been favourably compared to Angel di Maria – with both players having been at Benfica. While he failed to make the cut in Portugal, he’s had a great season for Basel, scoring in the Champions League against Real Madrid and winning the Swiss Super League.
Jamaica – Michael Hector (Reading)
Still only 22 and one of the heroes behind Reading’s run to the FA Cup semi-final earlier this year. After surviving 11 separate loan spells he returned to the Royals to play 49 times in all competitions this season. He’s predominately a centre-back but can also play on the left. He could be a strong back-up option for us next year.
Group C:
Brazil – Roberto Firmino (Hoffenheim)
Still only 23 and already one of the most exciting prospects on the planet. A formidable forward who will most likely be used as a central striker by Brazil, he’s scored 49 goals in 151 games for Hoffenheim since making his debut in 2011. He’s also netted twice in his first four appearances for his country, against Austria and Chile.
Colombia – Carlos Bacca (Sevilla)
Forget Radamel Falcao and Jackson Martinez – this is the hero of Sevilla’s back-to-back Europa League triumphs. He’s really come into his prime late. He might be 28 but he’s only now hitting the peak of his career. He’s netted 49 goals in 106 games over the last two seasons, with 28 of those coming in the previous campaign.
Peru – Yordy Reyna (Red Bull Salzburg)
Another youngster, this 21-year-old was only a bit-part player in Austria this year but showed enough during a series of loan spells to suggest that there is a talent there to nurture. He’d bring some much needed width to our squad and judging by his record he’ll grab his fair share of goals as well.
Venezuela – Salomon Rondon (Zenit Saint Petersburg)
This 25-year-old is the latest striker to make this list. He’s scored 28 goals in just 57 games for Zenit, who he joined last year, and that followed an equally impressive record for Rubin Kazan, where he banged in 25 in 56 matches. The former Malaga man has not failed to reach double figures for any club since the 2008-09 campaign.
