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Liverpool needs to scout Copa America for three wonderkids Premier League rivals won't spot
Liverpool eyes will have been on Euro 2024 recently. But there might soon need to be a split focus, with a potentially valuable scouting opportunity at the Copa America getting started on Thursday night.
The return of Michael Edwards to the FSG hierarchy is a sure sign that Liverpool will be chasing marginal gains wherever possible. Upon his arrival, he signaled his desire to add another club to the portfolio — with some speculation that he could target a team in South America.
Whether or not that's true, the transfer guru will surely have spotted that Liverpool may need to make more extensive use of the South American market in order to keep up with bigger-spending rivals. The current squad is littered with players from the continent, like Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Alexis Mac Allister, but all have been allowed to take an intermediate step before arriving at Anfield.
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That gives Liverpool more time to be sure of a player's talent, but it comes at a steep cost. Making moves earlier for some of the continent's elite talent could save the club millions — and there's fewer better places to scout them out than the Copa America. There's a few players the club should be monitoring in order to steal a march on Premier League rivals.
Brian Rodriguez (Uruguay)
At 24, Brian Rodriguez of Uruguay would not be a typical 'wonderkid from South America' signing. But the attacking midfielder, who plays his club football for Club America in Mexico, is an intriguing talent.
A starter for Uruguay in its recent 4-0 win over Mexico (where Nunez bagged a hat-trick), he has posted some impressive numbers in his domestic league. Comparing him to other players in the 'next 14' divisions outside the traditional top five, FBref names apparent Liverpool target Johan Bakayoko as a similar player.
Rodriguez would no doubt come a lot more cheaply. Averaging 7.7 progressive carries per 90, he'll certainly be a livewire to watch at the Copa America.
Dario Osorio (Chile)
Unlike Rodriguez, Dario Osorio has already made the move to Europe, so expectations of a potential bargain for Liverpool may need to be tempered slightly. But plying his trade for Midtjylland, he certainly hasn't yet ascended to the levels of hype enjoyed by players like Endrick or Vinicius Jr, and would certainly be a realistic transfer option.
Osorio has been tipped in some quarters to light up the tournament for Chile. Joining the Danish top flight last year from Universidad de Chile, he has quickly settled into life there, scoring five times despite primarily being restricted to minutes off the bench.
Aged 20, he has a really high ceiling. Liverpool should be keen to see how he gets on at the Copa America against world-class opposition.
Piero Quispe (Peru)
While Liverpool will be hoping to beat Premier League rivals to some of South America's hot talent, it's always a reassuring sign when Brighton is already on the scouting scene. The Seagulls and Nottingham Forest reportedly had a look at Piero Quispe last summer (Gol Peru).
Instead, he moved to Pumas UNAM, joining Rodriguez in Mexico. Uncommonly active out of possession for an attacking midfielder, Quispe will look to hustle and harry his opponents at the Copa America, while also troubling them with his direct running.
He'll certainly get some tough tests, having been drawn in the group alongside Argentina. Peru will also play Chile and Canada, and Liverpool should keep an eye on Quispe.
