Top 4 Sporting Lisbon players Ruben Amorim could take to Liverpool

Pedro Goncalves

Pedro Gonçalves has emerged as one of the standout performers in Portugal in recent seasons, consistently delivering goals and assists from the midfield position.

Operating as one of the two attacking midfielders in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation, Gonçalves has netted an impressive 71 goals in 164 matches across all competitions for Sporting.

Following his stellar performance as the top scorer in the Primeira Liga for the 2020/21 season with 23 league goals, he has maintained a record of achieving double figures in both goals and assists for the past three seasons.

Now at the age of 25, ‘Pote’ may be considering the next phase of his career in order to secure a regular spot in the Portuguese national team. Having faced challenges during his time at Wolves earlier in his career, the midfielder could be motivated to showcase his abilities in the Premier League. It is worth noting that he has an €80 million release clause in his contract at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Goncalo Inacio

Liverpool may need to strengthen their central defence in the upcoming summer transfer window, as Joel Matip’s contract is set to expire.

With manager Amorim favoring a three-man backline, the team may seek defensive depth to accommodate a potential change in formation.

Goncalo Inacio has emerged as a potential transfer target for Liverpool, with interest also coming from Manchester United and Real Madrid.

The 22-year-old has proven himself as one of the top young centre-backs in leagues outside of Europe’s top five. He has made 162 appearances for Sporting since progressing from their academy.

Inacio excels in distributing passes into the final third, leading Portugal’s Primeira Liga in this aspect. He also ranks second in touches and progressive carrying distance.

His ability to step out of defence and pass through lines would provide Liverpool with a natural left-footed option at centre-back, addressing a current imbalance in the squad. It is worth noting that Inacio has a release clause of €60m (£51.4m).

Vikto Gyokeres

Viktor Gyokeres has made a significant impact in European football this season with his exceptional performance at Sporting Lisbon. Since joining from Coventry City last summer, Gyokeres has established himself as one of the most prolific goalscorers in the Portuguese capital.

With an impressive record of 36 goals and 15 assists in 51 appearances across all competitions for Sporting, there is speculation of a potential €100m (£85m) transfer in the upcoming summer window.

Gyokeres possesses a unique combination of strength, ball-carrying ability, and finishing skills, making him an excellent choice to lead the forward line.

He effortlessly challenges opposing defenses and creates space for his teammates to showcase their creativity and support.

Liverpool already has Darwin Nunez, another former Primeira Liga forward, who has shown signs of improvement this season. However, Gyokeres could provide an additional option as a traditional number nine for the new manager, especially considering that Cody Gakpo’s best role is still uncertain.

Ousmane Diomande

Ousmane Diomande, a 20-year-old talent, has emerged as a highly sought-after player among Europe’s top clubs, including Arsenal and Chelsea.

Since joining Sporting from FC Midtjylland in January 2023, Diomande has made a significant impact, providing a solid defensive presence for the Portuguese side. Diomande’s impressive statistics speak for themselves. He leads the Primeira Liga in successfully tackling dribblers with an impressive percentage of 82.4%.

Additionally, he ranks third in the division for pass completion with a rate of 91.7% and sixth for distance carried while in possession. These numbers highlight his exceptional defensive abilities and make him a formidable obstacle for opposing forwards.

Considering his skillset, Diomande appears well-suited to meet the demands of the Premier League. His combination of physical presence and speed would perfectly complement the defensive prowess of Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk, who often find themselves engaged in one-on-one defending in Liverpool’s high line system.

It is no wonder that Arsenal and Chelsea have expressed their admiration for Diomande. His potential to strengthen the backline is undeniable, and he could prove to be a valuable asset for any elite club in Europe.