As the dust settled on Atalanta’s historic 8-2 obliteration of Salernitana in Serie A on a remarkable Sunday afternoon in Bergamo, La Dea coach Gian Piero Gasperini could not shake one lingering disappointment from his mind.
Teun Koopmeiners picked up his fifth yellow card of the season at the Gewiss Stadium. As such, Atalanta’s Dutch international will be suspended for the trip to Juventus in six days’ time.
“I’m sorry (about Koopmeiners’ absence),” Gasperini sighs; the 24-year-old’s first-half caution the one negative to come out of Atalanta’s first eight-goal haul since November 1941 (Calciomercato).
“Because we’re playing against Juventus, everyone would like to be there.”
After a hit and miss debut season in Italy, Koopmeiners has ascended to an all-new level in 2022/23. He took his tally to six goals and three assists with one apiece against Salernitana; a typically pinpoint left-footed delivery setting up Giorgio Scalvini before converting the rebound from his own penalty kick some 15 minutes later. His most infamous contribution, however, came on the international stage. Wout Weghorst was the name on everybody’s lips after the Netherlands came from 2-0 down to take Argentina to penalties in the Qatar World Cup quarter-finals. But it was Koopmeiners’ vision and guile which set up that stoppage time equaliser; a set-piece as inspired and unexpected as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s famous corner against Barcelona.
Liverpool like Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners
According to iNews, Liverpool have been watching Koopmeiners closely this season. And, at a reported £35 million (TuttoAtalanta), the former AZ Alkmaar captain is certainly more affordable than the likes of Jude Bellingham and Enzo Fernandez. Both of whom are likely to command fees in excess of £100 million.
“I saw the links about Liverpool,” Koopmeiners said after thumping a 30-yard rocket into the Bologna net recently (Fabrizio Romano). “(The rumours are) nice to see. But I’m 100 per cent focused on Atalanta. I’m so happy to play here.”
There is a lot to like about Koopmeiners. He might not possess Bellingham’s ball-carrying ability or his excellent goals-per-game ratio. But his remarkable intelligence, composure and natural-born leadership ability would translate well into an ageing and sluggish Liverpool midfield. He has the character and the mindset to thrive at a major European club.
With his surgical left-foot and ability to slot in at centre-half, Koopmeiners might just be the Gini Wijnaldum replacement Liverpool so obviously need too. According to AS, when Klopp first considered a move for Koopmeiners a couple of years ago, the former Dortmund boss saw the 24-year-old as someone capable of taking over steering duties from his fellow Dutchman.
Two years on, Jordan Henderson, Thiago and Fabinho are all past their peak. Harvey Elliot and Fabio Carvalho, while undeniably talented, are not the finished article just yet. Someone capable of filling Wijnaldum’s shoes is needed at Anfield more than ever.
‘An extraordinary player’
“(Koopmeiners is an) extraordinary player,” Atalanta legend Domeneco Progna tells TMW.
“A player with fantastic vision and excellent passing. Powerful, (with) quality. A natural leader who is truly consistent in quality and mentality,” Koopmeiners agent said in conversation with FCInterNews.
“For a coach, he is the perfect player to work with. An exemplary professional.
“It’s always difficult to make comparison. But he’s a Toni Kroos, Jorginho, (Nemanja) Matic or (Manuel) Locatelli type. Only that Teun will score more goals than any of these players.”
According to Goal’s Liverpool reporter Neil Jones, Koopmeiners is indeed on the Reds’ wishlist, even if he’s not quite at the top of it. But, after following up that Bologna blockbuster with another standout display during Atalanta’s biggest win in 82 years, Koopmeiners’ name may be climbing up the proverbial ladder as far as Liverpool’s interest is concerned.
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