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Every four years at the FIFA World Cup, we see a number of talented players show the world what they can do. They become overnight sensations due to their performances for their country on the biggest stage in football.
Some of them, relative unknowns, may become permanent fixtures on the global footballing scene. Their stock increases and they attract the interest of some of the biggest clubs in the world. Many players have gone on to find major success through this route. It is equally beneficial to the clubs who sign such players as well.
The World Cup has been a constant source of recruitment for many clubs every four years and the success has been varied. It will be no different this time around, as we have seen some phenomenal performances throughout the tournament.
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One club that should focus on some of these players is Liverpool, they have already done some important business in the transfer market this summer. There are still some gaps in The Reds' team which could very easily be filled with some of the stars of the tournament.
Liverpool reached the Champions League final in 2017-18, a season which saw The Reds progress in a steady way. This coming season, Liverpool will want to improve even further. Trophies are certainly not far away, including the Premier League and the Champions League.
Jurgen Klopp has done a tremendous job so far at Liverpool, as they now look like a consistent fixture in the Premier League top four. They will want to get better and win trophies in the coming seasons, and perhaps some of these players could become key in those aspirations.
Here are five players who have shone at this edition of the World Cup, and Liverpool should target them this summer.
#5 Julian Brandt
Defending champions Germany had a miserable World Cup where they finished bottom of their group. However, despite all the disappointments across the board for the Germans, there was a rare shining light.
Young attacking midfielder Julian Brandt was impressive whenever he came on as a substitute for Die Mannschaft. He did not get the opportunity to start for them, but he always did well whenever he came off the bench. He almost provided the inspiration for their equaliser in their opening game against Germany, as his rocket shot rattled the woodwork.
The 22-year-old was picked in Germany’s World Cup squad over Manchester City's Leroy Sane, meaning that the Bayer Leverkusen star is certainly no joke. Brandt can play as a winger, both on the left and the right.
He would be a very good option to have in waiting if either Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane is injured. However, Liverpool did have an interest in the German winger earlier and got turned down due to concerns over lack of playing time.
Also, Brandt's hefty value of approximately €60 million would warrant a starting berth for him, something which is unlikely for Jürgen Klopp to give him.
#4 Yerry Mina
Liverpool's defence has improved a great deal in the second half of the season after famously spending a whopping £75 million on Virgil van Dijk. He immediately instilled a new found confidence throughout the Reds back-line, from Andy Robertson to Dejan Lovren.
This was a major factor in Liverpool's inspiring run to the Champions League final. However, their backup may not be as good. The Reds might need to look at the World Cup to find a stronger third centre-back to compete with Lovren to partner the Dutch international.
One of the most impressive defenders in Russia was Colombia's Yerry Mina. An excellent header of the ball, he scored in three consecutive games for his country, including a 93rd-minute equaliser in the last 16 game against England.
He is being monitored by several Premier League clubs already, including the likes of Everton and Tottenham. However, he will be a solid addition at Anfield if Joel Matip does not improve from some of his shocking performances in the past year.
Barcelona have been looking to ship Mina out on loan despite him moving to the Nou Camp in January. As mentioned before, he is a solid and aggressive player. One who would be welcome in the Reds defence alongside van Dijk.
Dejan Lovren has had an excellent World Cup so far as Croatia have reached the semi-final stage, so he will likely remain as a starter in defense for Liverpool. Mina would probably not want to leave Barcelona without a guaranteed starting spot wherever he goes, making this transfer slightly more tricky.
#3 Hirving Lozano
Liverpool is known for playing rapid and slick attacking football. They use their pace to move up the field and cause fear to defenders. There is one star at the World Cup who would fit that bill perfectly.
Hirving Lozano, relatively unknown before the World Cup, he rose on to the scene in a big way for Mexico as he scored the only goal in their opening 1-0 win over Germany. He was also a constant threat throughout the tournament, with his rapid pace and ability to get into promising positions during counter attacks.
If there is one thing Liverpool love to do, it is to counterattack at a fearsome pace. 'Chucky’ would fit right in with Jürgen Klopp's system if he is to make the switch to Anfield.
The winger is currently at PSV Eindhoven, but is most likely on the move to a bigger European club. The likes of Arsenal and Manchester United are gunning for him, but Liverpool would likely suit him the most.
They need a winger to provide a valuable back-up for Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. However, Lozano’s fee could be ridiculously high after the impressive World Cup he just had. The same problems with Brandt would probably put a barrier to a potential move for Lozano.
This player is ready to become a world-class star and will likely do it in the Premier League, but he must weigh all of his options nicely.
Lozano must make the right move for his career and development, as good performances at major tournaments could prove to be false dawns at times if not acted upon wisely.
#2 Xherdan Shaqiri
There is not much that has not been said about the Swiss superhero - Xherdan Shaqiri. He is supremely talented and will want to return to the Premier League after being relegated with Stoke City.
Shaqiri will be available for a cheaper price, but that means many clubs will want the services of the winger. Liverpool is one of them, and their interest will have peaked after the failed move for Lyon’s Nabil Fekir.
It has been well documented that the Reds require additional depth in their attacking roster to provide for injuries to the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
This was one of the things that they lacked last season as Salah came off injured against Real Madrid in the Champions League final, with no direct alternative to bring on in place of him.
Shaqiri would be of excellent use as a winger or an attacking midfielder, especially since there has been a gap left by Phillipe Coutinho. He can compete with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for the number ten spot at Anfield, once the English midfielder returns to fitness.
However, the Swiss winger would alternate between both positions, depending on availability of players. His pace was in full effect as he scored a crucial goal for Switzerland against Serbia at the World Cup. The Reds will do extremely well if they manage to thwart the competition and sign Shaqiri from Stoke.
#1 Kasper Schmeichel
Jürgen Klopp may have said that he is keeping faith in Loris Karius as Liverpool's number one and that he won't rush into the market to sign a goalkeeper. However, it will always remain a point of weakness for Liverpool as all eyes will be on Karius.
The German goalkeeper suffered the most public of humiliations as he made two terrible howlers which led to goals against Real Madrid in the Champions League final. There are lots of goalkeeping options for Klopp to look at, but they will not come cheap.
At a time where the likes of Jan Oblak and Alisson Becker are ludicrously expensive, Liverpool should look at alternatives. One of them is Leicester City keeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Denmark's number one had an excellent World Cup, as he only conceded two goals while he saved three penalties in his last game against Croatia.
His shot-stopping would instantly make him a crowd favourite at Anfield, while his other abilities would shine brightly as well. Liverpool has not really had a regular international number one for a long time now, as the likes of Pepe Reina, Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius were never regular starters for their countries.
Klopp should seriously consider making a move for the Leicester goalkeeper. He has gained valuable experience at both club and country, as he is a former Premier League winner. Schmeichel is already forging a major legacy for himself in the game, he could do more good to it by solving the seeming current biggest problem in the Liverpool squad.
