- 9 hours ago
Five Liverpool targets to watch at Euro 2024
New Liverpool boss Arne Slot will be paying attention to one national team in particular at Euro 2024.
The new Reds boss faces the daunting task of succeeding Jurgen Klopp at Anfield and it is thought that the Dutchman will be provided the means to augment Liverpool's already strong team.
In light of his unveiling as new head coach, a host of Dutch players have been linked with a move to Merseyside and most of them will be in action at Euro 2024 in Germany. However, Slot won't only be watching his home country, he will also be paying attention to neighbours Belgium and perhaps even to England.
Below, FootballTransfers runs through five Liverpool targets to watch at Euro 2024...
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Justin Bijlow (Netherlands)
One of Slot's former Feyenoord protégés linked with Liverpool is goalkeeper Justin Bijlow. This comes after it was revealed that Saudi dealmakers enquired about Alisson's availability in March.
Though Liverpool have no intention to sell the Brazilian, they are nevertheless making sure to cover all bases and Bijlow is being looked at, with the player admitting that he is open to leaving his boyhood club this summer.
The 26-year-old is not his country's undisputed number one, but he may see some game time in Germany due to Mark Flekken, though a very good goalkeeper, not always having been super convincing since swapping for Freiburg for Brentford last summer.
READ MORE: Five Chelsea targets to watch at Euro 2024
Lutsharel Geertruida (Netherlands)
Making our way up the pitch, next up is Bijlow's compatriot and domestic teammate Lutsharel Geertruida. One of Slot's favourite Feyenoord players, the versatile defender made headlines by attending Liverpool's game with West Ham near the end of the Premier League season.
Transfer speculation surrounding the stand-in Feyenoord captain has been rampant for well over a year and the Dutchman is set to play a big role for Ronald Koeman in Germany. A good tournament will only increase the interest in his services further.
Teun Koopmeiners (Netherlands)
The third and final Dutch player on this list is Teun Koopmeiners. Coached by Slot at AZ, Liverpool's interest in the attack-minded midfielder actually predates the new coach's arrival by a solid three years.
The Reds are long-time admirers of the Atalanta man and got a taste of how devastating he can be when they were knocked out of the Europa League by the eventual champions last season.
Liverpool's biggest problem regarding Koopmeiners won't be whether or not he will perform at the Euros but rather if they will be able to land him. Juventus are desperate to sign the 15-goal midfielder and are pushing to secure his services.
Johan Bakayoko (Belgium)
Another player the Reds have been keen on for some time, Johan Bakayoko is coming off a stunning breakout season with PSV. A creative machine for the Dutch champions, the Belgian notched an assist when his side faced Slot's Feyenoord last season.
The Liverpool boss will be intimately familiar with how unstoppable Bakayoko can be on his day, and with Mohamed Salah not getting any younger, the 21-year-old could be an ideal long-term successor. With Belgium not necessarily blessed with great right-wingers, the starlet is sure to see some solid minutes in Germany.
Ollie Watkins (England)
The final and perhaps most intriguing player on this list is Ollie Watkins. It has been claimed that Slot is a fan of the player and that the England international has been identified as a replacement for misfiring Darwin Nunez.
The 28-year-old Aston Villa man was the assist king of the bygone Premier League season and also netted a very impressive 27 goals across all competitions. He won't supplant Harry Kane for the Three Lions, but he is sure to see some minutes considering that his main rival Ivan Toney might not make the cut once the final squad is announced.