Attacking Euros stars Liverpool could sign: Is Federico Chiesa the missing ingredient?

Federico Chiesa Juventus

Liverpool’s summer has been quiet and subdued, with only defender Ibrahima Konaté coming through the doors of Anfield for £36 million.

Last time out, I analysed the goalkeepers and defenders that have sparkled at the Euros and manager Jurgen Klopp may look to sign.

With a new midfielder and striker on the club’s wishlist, I have analysed the options Liverpool could consider drafting in ahead of the new season.

Midfielders (4)

Manuel Locatelli – Italy

The Italian was the star of the show as he scored two sublime goals in his country’s 3-0 win over Switzerland in the group stages.

He may have been a peripheral figure for Italy later on in the tournament but boss Roberto Mancini will be thankful for his contributions.

Serie A side Sassuolo reportedly want around £40 million with his Euros performances increasing his transfer value.

At the moment Arsenal and in particular, Juventus, who love to gobble up the Italian talent no matter how much it weakens other teams in the same league, remain favourites for his signature.

Liverpool will therefore have to move fast if they want to add the ingenuity and creativity of Locatelli to their midfield.

Matteo Pessina – Italy

Another one of Italy’s Euro 2020 winners to impress at this summer’s championships.

Although he began most games on the bench, the 24-year-old Atalanta midfielder scored the vital goal which beat Wales 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico as he got on the end of a Marco Verratti free-kick.

Pessina then grabbed the winner in extra-time against Austria in his side’s 2-1 triumph.

With Champions League experience to boot, Pessina is reliable, dynamic and has the endurance levels of a Jurgen Klopp player.

Now one of the upcoming talents of Italian football, a move to the Premier League could be on the horizon.

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Mikkel Damsgaard – Denmark

Like other Euros stars on this list, the Danish midfielder plies his trade in Italy at Serie A outfit Sampdoria.

Interestingly, he was valued at €6 million before the tournament but his value has shot up with Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero demanding €30-40 million.

The Dane’s stunning free-kick against England shot him to stardom and he is now a household name.

Having never adequately replaced Phillip Coutinho in the playmaker role, Klopp desperately needs an attacking player who can contribute goals to the team.

At 21 years of age, he still has time to grow and develop and get better under the guise of a world class coach.

He should be top of Liverpool’s summer shopping list and Sampdoria will certainly be looking to cash in on their prized asset.

Federico Chiesa – Italy

Another star of Italy’s successful campaign which built up a 34-match win streak spanning three years.

The son of former Fiorentina and Italy striker Enrico, Federico Chiesa had a superb tournament contributing important goals in the knockout stages.

First against Austria in extra time to secure a 2-1 win and a place in the quarter-finals. And then again against Spain in the semi-finals as he cut inside and curled the ball beautifully on his right foot past Unai Simón.

As with Damsgaard, this is a player Liverpool need more than ever. Manchester City have Kevin De Bruyne, İlkay Gündoğan, Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden scoring regularly from midfield, whilst Liverpool have virtually no-one.

Chiesa, although only joining Juventus from Fiorentina last summer, is a vital piece of the jigsaw if Liverpool are to have any real hope of winning the Premiership again.

FSG have come under fire from supporters for not investing enough in the club the past couple of seasons. A marquee signing like Chiesa for around £90 million would silence the critics and match Manchester United’s ambition in the transfer market, having already signed Jadon Sancho for £73 million.

Strikers: (5)

Emil Forsberg – Sweden

The second highest scorer at Euro 2020 notched four goals to show the whole Europe exactly what he is capable of.

His first was a crucial penalty in a 1-0 win over Slovakia. The Swede then bagged a brace against Poland in a 3-2 victory as he fired Sweden to the knockout stages.

Another goal against Ukraine gave his side hope before Artem Dovbyk’s 120th minute strike ensured Andriy Shevchenko’s team nabbed the final quarter-final spot.

Liverpool have built a strong relationship with the Swede’s club RB Leipzig in the last few years, so this is certainly a transfer that would work for both parties.

Kasper Dolberg – Denmark

Another one of coach Kasper Hjulmand’s key performers in getting Denmark to the semi-finals against all the odds.

The Danish striker notched two goals in the thumping 4-0 win against Wales in the last 16. He then grabbed the winning goal in his side’s 2-1 quarter-final victory over Czech Republic.

A product of Ajax’s famous academy, Dolberg, is now at Nice in the French league and could certainly do with a fresh challenge in his career. What better way than by joining Liverpool.

Lorenzo Insigne – Italy

Klopp has long been an admirer of the Napoli forward.

Considered one of the best strikers in world football, Insigne would be the complete upgrade on Divock Origi, who has lost confidence and has been out of form for over two years now.

Wolfsburg appear likely to bid for the Belgian freeing up a space for Liverpool to have another big goalscorer on the books.

Insigne scored an incredible strike against Turkey on the opening day.

In the quarter-finals, his vital goal against Belgium sealed a hard-fought 2-1 win taking Italy to the last four.

His confidence and quality make him a welcome addition to any team.

Ciro Immobile – Italy

Another fine player in Italy’s ranks, Immobile scored crucial goals in both the Azzurri’s 3-0 wins over Turkey and Switzerland respectively.

The Lazio forward’s temperament has come into question in the past. He was also guilty of diving and play acting on the floor during his country’s win against Belgium, much to the annoyance of fans.

A proven goalscorer, like Insigne, he would add goals to Liverpool’s frontline already possessing Mo Salah, Bobby Firmino, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota.

Lazio will be reluctant to sell and his loyalty to the club could prove a problem.

So this is likely to be a long-shot.

Patrik Schick – Czech Republic

The final player on my list was the joint golden boot winner alongside Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo.

Schick scored twice against Scotland in his side’s opening match, including UEFA’s official goal of the tournament, as he lobbed goalkeeper David Marshall from the half-way line, who was in no-man’s land as the ball floated into the back of the net.

Another goal against Croatia secured a one-all draw for the Czechs.

The Bayer Leverkusen striker scored a huge goal in the shock 2-0 win over the Netherlands in the round of 16.

A goal in the 2-1 defeat to Denmark in the quarter-finals capped a stellar tournament for the 25-year-old.

Schick would offer something different to Klopp’s usual attacking options.

But Liverpool will not be the only team chasing his signature so they will have to move fast if they want to sign him.

James Spencer

My name is James and I have supported Liverpool since I was 6 years old. My favourite players growing up were Steven Gerrard and Sami Hyypia. My most memorable match would be the UEFA Cup Final win over Deportivo Alaves that finished 5-4 to Liverpool! I am studying journalism in Manchester although I am a Liverpool fan through and through.

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