Liverpool blown away by World Cup star after completing in-person checks

Liverpool are using the World Cup to their advantage this summer and could swoop in to sign a young star, who has been impressing Anfield scouts for the last year.

The Reds are chomping at the bit to get their summer business underway, with Andoni Iraola very much a man in waiting.

The likes of Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola have already stolen headlines at the World Cup and whilst that may not increase their respective price tags, it’s clear that Liverpool are on the right track.

The key focus as far as Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes are concerned is to find a replacement for Mohamed Salah, as impossible as that may seem.

Arne Slot’s downfall was ultimately centred around his side’s lack of intensity going forward. Iraola will be keen to avoid the same problem, and that’s why those at Anfield must get their recruitment right.

With Salah waving goodbye and Hugo Ekitike’s spell on the sidelines set to extend into next season, it’s not just star names that Liverpool need, either. They could also do with some added depth in quality, which is where one young star could come in.

Liverpool scouts blown away by World Cup star

Alongside Diomande or Barcola, the Reds have also set their sights on a 22-year-old talent. According to reports in Uzbekistan, as relayed by TeamTalk, Liverpool scouts have been blown away by Abbosbek Fayzullaev after completing in-person checks on the winger several times over the last year.

They could now turn that interest into a formal move, but may have to wait until after the World Cup with Uzbekistan set to compete in a group with Colombia, Portugal and DR Congo.

The Basaksehir attacker enjoyed a solid campaign in Turkey last time out, with 11 goal involvements to his name in Turkey.

Liverpool will have another chance to watch the winger in action at the World Cup, when Uzbekistan square off against Colombia as they look to cause a major upset in their opening fixture.

Fayzullaev is likely to be one of the driving forces behind their frontline and that key role could catch the eye of on-watching Anfield officials, who could be finally convinced to launch an offer.

Read next: Liverpool close to signing £112m star