Liverpool are set to splash the cash at the end of the season, with reinforcements being eyed at both ends of the pitch. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Darwin Nunez are among those expected to leave the club this summer, with Harvey Elliott, Jarrell Quansah and Caoimhin Kelleher attracting interest as well.
Virgil van Dijk spoke recently about how he expects the Reds’ ranks to be shaken up this summer, saying: “Whatever happens in terms of players going out, players coming in, I think it should be a big summer. I think they’re planning to make it a big summer, so we all have to trust the board to do the right job.”
With a spending spree appearing to be in the works, tonight’s Europa League clashes may allow Liverpool scouts the chance to see how their reported targets fare on the big stage. Express Sport takes a look at who Liverpool could be looking at in some matches…
Athletic Bilbao vs Rangers
With the game tied at 0-0 on aggregate, Athletic Bilbao will be hoping to dominate the home leg of their quarter-final clash this evening. As a result, all eyes will be on how Nico Williams performs, having been linked with Arsenal, Barcelona and Liverpool previously. The Spain international lit up the Euros last summer and is producing another strong campaign with Athletic, scoring 10 goals and registering seven assists in all competitions.
The Reds have also been linked with Oihan Sancet recently, with the 24-year-old enjoying a remarkable season. With 16 goals to his name from midfield, the Spaniard could inject some attacking quality into Liverpool’s midfield.
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Tottenham
Eintracht Frankfurt have plenty of talent on their books, and Liverpool appear to be fully aware. Striker Hugo Ekitike has been widely tipped as being among the Reds’ striker options this summer after it became clear that Newcastle’s Alexander Isak would be too expensive.
Liverpool are also among Hugo Larsson’s growing list of admirers, with the 20-year-old asserting himself as one of Europe’s best midfield prospects this season with assured performances in the Bundesliga. Manchester United and Tottenham are also interested. Versatile winger Asnar Knauff has also been loosely linked with making a move to Anfield this summer, though he is in a race against time to be fit to face Spurs.
Manchester United vs Lyon
Clubs all around Europe will have representatives watching Rayan Cherki tonight, and it would be no surprise if Liverpool were among those in attendance given that the Reds have been cited as one of his admirers for several months. The versatile forward oozes quality on the ball and is capable of unpicking a defence in the blink of an eye, and it remains to be seen whether a Premier League club is finally willing to take a chance on the 21-year-old.
Malick Fofana is also among those who Liverpool could have their eye on at Old Trafford. The Belgium international spoke out last week about being linked with Arne Slot’s side, and the winger is expected to feature against Manchester United having missed the first leg through injury.
