Liverpool travel to Leeds on Monday night with a European qualification place still within their grasp, despite a desperately poor season.
The Reds have received a boost to their transfer plans in the build-up to the trip to Elland Road as they opened talks with Ryan Gravenberch. The Dutchman is an alternative target to Jude Bellingham, who Jurgen Klopp has given up on signing in the summer window.
The talks with Bayern Munich star Gravenberch comes as Klopp plots a win over the Whites and Ibrahima Konate hit out at suggestions he might be regretting his move to Anfield. Here, Mirror Football looks at the latest Liverpool news.
Talks open with Bellingham alternative
Liverpool have opened talks with Bayern Munich outcast Ryan Gravenberch after pulling out of the race to sign Jude Bellingham. Bellingham was thought to be the Reds' top target, but they have admitted defeat, with the Englishman set to command a record fee.
Instead, the Reds are exploring alternative targets, with Gravenberch high up their shopping list. According to The Times, the Premier League giants have sent a representative to meet with the midfielder's father in the Netherlands.
Gravenberch's father has played a key role in mentoring his son over the course of his career. But he has run into problems at Bayern, where he has struggled for game-time since joining the Bundesliga table toppers in the summer.
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Reds prepare for Leeds trip
Jurgen Klopp is predicting his side to face a difficult test at Leeds on Monday night. The relegation-threatened Whites were smashed 5-1 by Crystal Palace in their last game, but Klopp believes Javi Gracia's men will be looking to bounce back.
"A big fight, a massive fight. In the situation Leeds is in, the last game [a 5-1 defeat by Crystal Palace], of course, as well – these kind of games can happen. They try everything. I actually think they are in a pretty good moment," he said.
"We expect them to be absolutely on their toes. It will be a tough one but we have to build now on two games that were good, in moments really good and for different reasons – and especially the second half against Arsenal was obviously really good and we have to build on that."
Konate hits out at regret claims
Ibrahima Konate has rubbished claims he should be regretting his decision to join Liverpool. The defender joined the Reds from RB Leipzig in 2021 and has featured heavily in the Reds' disappointing season.
“My answer to the question about whether I made the right decision is to look at that first season. I came into a team that was within a whisker of winning four trophies," the Frenchman insisted.
“We only won two in the end - but we were only a point away from winning the league and so, so close to the Champions League. My fame has grown so much as a result of being a Liverpool player. It has been fantastic to experience."
