"Khephren Thuram and Manu Kone: A Perfect Opportunity for Liverpool to Scout Their Future Midfielders"
Key Highlights :
On Thursday night, UEFA's website could have been forgiven for lagging a little bit as Khephren Thuram and Manu Kone started for France U21s in their 2-1 win against Italy. With plans to target Jude Bellingham shelved due to the immense costs involved, Liverpool are now intending to spread out their transfer budget on two or three midfield recruits, with Alexis Mac Allister already through the doors. The U21 European Championships in Romania and Georgia this month provide a perfect scouting opportunity for the Reds and their supporters to take a sneak peek at their future.
Thuram and Kone were able to strut their stuff in tandem in the France engine room on Thursday night, with Kone looking a little further on in his development right now. He was defensively sound, physical when needed and seemed to possess a technical ability that would, undoubtedly, stand him in good stead in the Premier League. Thuram, meanwhile, was centred on dribbling, trickery and greater risk in the middle and final thirds, but he was subbed off before France grabbed all three points amid late chaos.
Judging any player on 90 minutes will never paint the full picture, but the contrasting styles and attributes of Thuram and Kone blended perfectly into a midfield three, something that Klopp and key figures behind the scenes at Anfield will have already known from their respective air time with OGC Nice and Borussia Monchengladbach. However, it wouldn't have hurt to watch them mix it together, and it's likely that other scouting departments have taken note of their performances too.
The U21 European Championships provide a great opportunity for Liverpool to scout their future midfielders, and Thuram and Kone have certainly put themselves in the shop window. With the Reds wanting a younger profile to complement the midfielders they already have, both players could be the perfect fit. However, they must be braced to haggle for their two signatures, as other teams may have taken note of their performances too.
