The U17 World Cup is now taking place in Indonesia, and the semi-finals are scheduled to take place tomorrow. The Malian national team has undoubtedly been the tournament’s biggest surprise, having advanced to the semi-finals and now facing France.

Mali, a team packed with fascinating stars, has proven impressive in the country’s sophisticated offensive football. Only Brazil and Argentina have scored more goals in the tournament so far, with 16 each.

But Mali’s defensive record is even more astounding, having conceded only two goals in the tournament thus far, second only to France, who has yet to concede a goal. Sekou Kone, Mali’s holding midfielder, has been one of the greatest players in this tournament, playing an important part in stabilizing and dominating Mali’s midfield.

The dynamic midfielder reads the game effectively and has made the most interceptions (40) of anyone in the tournament thus far. He is a midfielder who will undoubtedly receive a lot of attention as a result of his good performances, and Liverpool should be among the suitors.

Jürgen Klopp’s team requires a holding midfielder like Kone. Right now, the club could bring him to Anfield for a reasonable sum.

Kone has been developed by the JMG academy, which has a track record of producing excellent midfielders from its Mali campus in Bamako, ranging from Yves Bissouma to Amadou Haidara and Cheick Doucouré. If history is any guide, he has the potential to play in the Premier League or the Bundesliga one day.

Jean Marc Guillou’s program employs quite innovative approaches in producing athletes. JMG began in the Ivory Coast, where the academy developed players such as Kolo and Yaya Touré, Salomon Kalou, Emmanuel Eboué, and Gervinho, playing barefoot and developing a tiki-taka style of play.

It’s an academy with a proven track record of producing some of Africa’s top players in recent years. Kone is one of four JMG graduates who are presently fighting for Mali in the U17 World Cup.

Liverpool has rarely signed players from Africa directly. The latest one was Taiwo Awoniyi of Nigeria, who had to spend years on loan in order to obtain a work permit. However, due to Brexit and new work-permit requirements, the FA announced an exemption for up to four players last summer, which means Liverpool could potentially bring Kone to the club when he turns 18 as per FIFA standards.