Ecuador international and reported Liverpool target Moises Caicedo was left distraught after his side were knocked out of the World Cup yesterday afternoon.
After their exit from the tournament had been confirmed following a 2-1 loss to Senegal, the 21-year-old was spotted crying on the pitch.
He was absolutely distraught, pictured hugging his teammates in what was a disappointing end to Ecuador’s campaign.
The African champions led through Ismaila Sarr’s penalty in the 44th minute.
The Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder levelled the scoring after the break, before Kalidou Koulibaly secured Senegal’s place in the last 16 for the first time since 2002.
Caicedo is a player heavily linked with a Liverpool move. Previous touted with a £42m swoop which even former manager Graham Potter acknowledged, Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg claims the Reds remain in the race to sign the youngster.
Caicedo left in tears
Although the World Cup didn’t end as the midfielder would have wanted, he did himself proud whilst out in Qatar.
He played every single minute for Ecuador in the group stage, in which the nation only lost once. He even provided his country with a glimmer of hope after scoring the equaliser against Senegal; this would have seen them qualify, if the result had remained the same.
However, Caicedo will now have to turn his attention back to club football. The 21-year-old is absolutely crucial to the way Brighton play, and manager Roberto De Zerbi will be needing his full focus when Premier League football kicks back off on Boxing Day.
Throughout the tournament, the youngster has seriously impressed. This would have confirmed Liverpool’s suspicions that he could excel on the biggest stage in world football.
As a result, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Reds make an advancement for the player in January.
Hailed by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp as ‘magnificent’ in the middle of the park, this would be a brilliant signing for Jurgen Klopp’s squad.
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