The World Cup is underway, with fans no doubt keen to see many Liverpool players and potential transfer targets in action.
Liverpool holds a strong interest in securing the signatures of target wingers Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola. Fans expect both players to feature for the Ivory Coast and France in their upcoming fixtures. Meanwhile, Alisson Becker already kickstarted his summer schedule, representing Brazil on Saturday in a 1-1 draw against Morocco.
Who are they tracking?
Anfield scouts also maintain a close eye on South Korean international defender Lee Han-beom, who recently made his mark at the tournament. South Korea launched their World Cup campaign in the early hours of Friday morning, securing a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic.
The 23-year-old put in an impressive performance during the match, continuing the fine momentum he built during a successful club campaign with FC Midtjylland. His performances have also attracted the attention of Chelsea, as per TEAMtalk
It will be interesting to see if Liverpool decides to make a move for him in the summer. They need more quality in the defence, and the 23-year-old could be a useful acquisition. Ibrahima Konate has left the club on a free transfer, and they need to replace him.
The opportunity to play for Liverpool will be quite exciting for the 23-year-old defender. It would be a major step up for him, and he would get to test himself at that level. He is still a young player with a lot of room for improvement, and he could develop into a handy option for the Premier League team.
Han-beom started as one of their three centre-backs on the night, playing a crucial role in the 2-1 win. After his impressive showing in North America, TEAMtalk report that the FC Midtjylland stopper “attracting growing interest from across the continent, with Liverpool and Leeds United both in that mix.”
However, they are not the only Premier League sides eyeing the centre-back, with Chelsea, Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion also named as interested parties. The transfer links come with Han-beom now entering the final year of his contract with the Danish club.
Technical profile: Who is Lee Han-beom?
Lee Han-beom is among the latest promising prospects from his homeland to rise in prominence after leaving South Korea. Born in Daegu, the 23-year-old turned professional at FC Seoul before joining FC Midtjylland in August 2023.The South Korean international enjoyed his breakthrough in the 2025/26 season, making 50 appearances while chipping in with four goals and four assists.
Those performances have helped Lee become South Korea’s first-choice centre-back alongside Kim Min-jae, and he produced a colossal performance in his nation’s opening fixture at the 2026 FIFA World Cup by keeping Patrik Schick quiet throughout.
Those exploits and more have piqued the attention of several well-known clubs, including Liverpool, Leeds United, and Newcastle United.
South Korea’s thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over the Czech Republic in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A opener has done more than just secure three vital points it has set the European transfer market ablaze. At the heart of the storm are two of Korea’s rising stars: midfield maestro Lee Kang-in and towering defender Lee Han-beom, both of whom are now the subjects of intense speculation involving Premier League giants Liverpool and La Liga heavyweights Atletico Madrid.
Tactical context and Anfield’s revolution
Liverpool are currently undergoing a structural revolution. With Spanish tactician Andoni Iraola taking the reins and talisman Mohamed Salah having departed at the end of the 2025/26 season.
So the Reds are actively searching for a creative, left-footed playmaker capable of cutting inside from the flank. Lee Kang-in’s tactical profile, combined with his fluency in Spanish, makes him an ideal fit for Iraola’s high-pressing system.
Simultaneously, Liverpool’s midfield dynamic is shifting as Wataru Endo faces an uncertain future following an injury-plagued campaign including being ruled out of the World Cup for Japan, with his contract expiring in 2027.
An injury-plagued campaign severely derailed Wataru Endo’s season, ultimately ruling him out of Japan’s World Cup squad. With his contract expiring in 2027, this setback has intensified Liverpool’s desire to secure a new Asian icon.
The club looks to recruit a player who not only brings immense tactical prowess to the pitch but also maintains Liverpool’s robust commercial footprint across the region.However, Joe Gomez is expected to stay at the club and see out his contract, which expires in 2027.
Elsewhere, it has already been reported that Liverpool have ‘high hopes’ for Jacquet and Leoni, as Ben Jacobs explained earlier this month. He stated:
“There are high hopes for Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni heading into next season. Liverpool have chosen not to proceed with what is seen as an expensive renewal [for Konate] and will instead put that resource into replacing Mo Salah, and into strengthening other key areas this summer.
ReadLiverpoolFC Verdict
Lee Han-beom’s robust performance at the 2026 World Cup and his stellar breakthrough year at Midtjylland make him a highly enticing prospect, especially considering he is entering the final year of his contract.
For a modern centre-back, his output of four goals and four assists over 50 club appearances shows a rare level of technical composure and offensive threat that would thrive under Andoni Iraola’s progressive vision.
However trusting internal prospects like Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni alongside the reliable Joe Gomez is the more realistic trajectory. Unless Lee’s valuation remains exceptionally low or further defensive injuries occur, expect the Reds to keep monitoring him from afar while focusing their primary financial power elsewhere.
