The latest edition of the Africa Cup of Nations may have gotten off to a slow start, but things are starting to heat up as we head into the knockout stage.

From giant kills in Ghana and Algeria wavering at the first hurdle, and historic results by minnows from The Gambia, Comoros and Equatorial Guinea, it’s been a whirlwind few weeks.

The Liverpool trio of Sadio Mané, Naby Keïta and Mohamed Salah all played their part in the tournament for their country. All three have found the back of the net and have been awarded the Man of the Match award so far. They will play a crucial role in the coming round of 16.

But it’s not just Liverpool’s current players who have caught the eye; a few Liverpool targets also impressed at the tournament.

Liverpool.com brings you a group-by-group round-up of all the action.

GROUP A

Hosts Cameroon have topped this group and look to be one of the favorites for the entire tournament. But from Liverpool’s perspective, it’s the other two knockout round qualifiers worth watching.

Kenny Rocha Santos has been linked with a move to Liverpool, and he has been the standout player for an impressive Cape Verde side at the tournament so far. He created eight chances in three games, which was the most of the group, and won a MOTM award. His perpetual energy and box-to-box skills make him a fierce pressing monster and it’s easy to see why Liverpool are keeping tabs on him.

Cape Verde will then face Senegal, so it will be interesting to follow them in this match against Sadio Mané.

Edmond Tapsoba also caught the eye as expected for Burkina Faso. Defensively solid, Burkina Faso are yet to concede open play while on the pitch. He also played a key role in helping his country in the attacking phases. Tapsoba is averaging 16.49 progressive passes per 90 – the highest in the tournament. He also demonstrated an impressive ability to play the ball forward and launch attacks from behind – a crucial trait in Liverpool’s current system.

GROUP B

This group has been dominated by the Liverpool contingent so far.

Sadio Mane entered the tournament as one of the main stars alongside Mohamed Salah, and statistically has so far gotten the better of his Liverpool counterpart.

Mane ranks above Salah in attempted dribbles (20) and progressive runs (10), which puts him 4th overall in the tournament. He also created six chances, which is the highest for his team, and was the linchpin of his side taking them top of the group despite Senegal scoring just one goal in three. matches.

Naby KeitaGuinea finished second, just behind Mali, and Keïta enjoyed perhaps the best tournament of the Liverpool contingent to date. He scored a spectacular goal and carried his team on his back with two man of the match performances in three games. He ranks first in assists with seven in total and has clocked an impressive three ninety minutes in the space of eight days which will be encouraging from a Liverpool perspective.

GROUP VS

One of the biggest shocks of the tournament so far was the elimination of Ghana, who were terrible in this group and never looked like they deserved to go through.

Morocco, Comoros and Gabon advanced instead.

Nonetheless, while Ghana may not have had the tournament they expected, the 17-year-old Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, who would have been a target for Liverpool, has certainly made his mark.

He averaged 13.75 dribbles per 90 with a 54.5% success rate according to Wyscout, had 2.5 interceptions and five digs per 90, 75% of them in the opposing half. He also averaged the most runs (three) in the penalty area for Ghana.

A progressive winger who can drive the ball forward and win possession high up the pitch is well suited to Liverpool’s system, and Fatawu has proven more than capable for the role.

GROUP D

Mohamed Salah’s group were dominated by a superb Nigerian team and they won most of the applause.

Former Liverpool striker Taiwo Awoniyi, has been on a purple smudge since leaving Anfield, and is enjoying an excellent tournament having scored 14 goals and registered three assists for Union Berlin already this season. Awoniyi has scored one goal in two games so far, but is averaging the highest combined xG and xA at a whopping 1.72 for 90, and has done remarkably well as a substitute for the injured Victor Osimhen.

Kelechi Iheanacho, who should be on Liverpool’s radar due to his suitability for the fake No.9 role, was another standout player. He has two goal contributions in three games. His building game was sensational. He completed the third most passes (six) and has the second best accuracy with 83.33%. He also made the most “smart passes” according to Wyscout with seven. Playing just behind Awoniyi, Iheanacho has been terrific and is a player who could find himself on Liverpool’s shortlist.

Moses Simon was another that caught the eye. The winger was once linked with a move to Liverpool in 2018, and it’s easy to see why based on his performance. Simon has completed the most dribbles with 29 so far in three games.

He also has a goal and an assist, and was extremely adept at bombarding Nigeria’s left flank up and down making 12 progressive runs (the second highest in the tournament) and with his transfer value at £8million sterling, Liverpool could be tempted to reignite. their interest.

For Mohamed Salah, it was a slow start. He’s only scored one goal so far but he’s made the most throw-ins in the tournament’s penalty area with 17 so far, which shows he’s getting into the right areas.

GROUP E

The biggest shock of the tournament so far was the elimination of holders Algeria, who crumbled after losing their 35-game unbeaten streak to Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast.

Liverpool target reported, Frank Kessie, has played a crucial role in Ivory Coast’s relatively comfortable tournament so far with the midfielder adept at controlling and dictating play from midfield.

With his surging runs to the left back, Ghislain Konan, also caught the eye with the most progressive runs of the tournament so far (15) and former Liverpool target Nicolas Pepe also deserves a mention for scoring twice and registering one assist in three games.

GROUP F

History was made in this group with The Gambia taking part in their first ever AFCON, qualifying undefeated for the round of 16 of the tournament. They will now face Naby Keïta’s Guinea in the next round.

Moussa Barrow is an integral part of everything that has gone well for The Gambia. He was directly involved in all three of his country’s goals scoring one and registering two assists. He also hit the woodwork twice from a spectacular range of free kicks.

His quick nature, cutting ability and shrewd vision make him a formidable threat and he will be one to watch for the rest of the tournament. With their dream of playing in the Premier League, Liverpool could consider forcing their ambitions on the back of their recent form for club and country.

From Mali, who finished top of the group, the standout performer was Ibrahima Kone. The 22-year-old has scored three goals in three games and has netted 11 goals in nine international appearances for his country so far. A powerful and shrewd poacher in the air, the Malian plays for Sarpsborg 08 FF in Norway’s top flight, but could transfer to a much bigger team after this tournament.