Liverpool transfer target Khephren Thuram featured for France in their U21 European Championship opener against Italy.
It was a performance that will perhaps manage expectations. If transfer-crazy Liverpool fans were keenly tuned into France’s U21 European Championship opener against Italy to catch a closer glimpse of their potential new midfielder signing Khephren Thuram, they will have realised that the Reds will have to take the rough with the smooth if they’re able to strike an agreement with Nice.
Thuram is evidently a supreme talent having been named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season last term following his sparkling performances in the French top-flight.
But if Liverpool supporters are expecting him to completely transform their midfield fortunes, they were handed a reality check on this occasion.
The Nice starlet started alongside fellow Liverpool-linked team-mate Manu Kone in midfield for Les Bleus and it was the Borussia Monchengladbach man who made a lasting impression.
Kone left with the Man of the Match award which he proudly boasted on Thuram’s Instagram story.
The industrious Gladbach maestro was everything and displayed his fine tackling and tendency to shoot from range. His energy really stood out throughout a chaotic encounter that France eventually won 2-1Â following late controversy.
While Thuram did not set the world alight, there were huge moments of promise as he displayed his eye-catching dribbling ability and desire to arrive in the box.
He was key to transforming defence into attack and for that reason, it’s easy to see why Jurgen Klopp is a firm admirer of his qualities.
There were shades of Gini Wijnaldum to his play with his ball retention skills and low centre of gravity
There is no doubt that Liverpool’s scouts and recruitment team will also have been casting an eye over this closely-contested tournament opener, although they’re clearly already impressed with what they have seen so far having conducted plenty of homework.
Besides the flashes of promise, there were two particularly memorable moments involving the Nice man from this end-to-end encounter.
After great work from former Nice team-mate Amine Gouiri, Thuram was slid through on goal as he burst into the box with real intent.
But he seemed to lose his footing following a heavy touch as a huge chance went begging for France.
Shortly after, Thuram was left helplessly frozen to the spot when he was savagely nutmegged in the middle of the park. He immediately looked to the sky in disgust with himself.
