Liverpool are keen to sign a new left-back and have identified Wolves star Rayan Ait-Nouri, as well as Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez as targets.

Arne Slot is keen to provide more competition for Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas, with the latter only starting one Premier League game this season.

Robertson’s form appears to have turned around over the past 12 months and was recently revealed by Bukayo Saka during the Reds’ 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates.

Bukayo Saka folds Andy Robertson like a deck chair
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– English Football Fans (@EnglidsAway) October 27, 2024

According to Football TBR, Liverpool are ‘closely monitoring’ Ait-Nouri and Kerkez as left-back options, while Ajax’s Jorrel Hato also has admirers at Anfield.

The report states Liverpool have been following Ait-Nouri for more than 12 months and that he is the “preferred option”, although taking him away from Wolves will not be easy.

Ait-Nouri, 23, is one of Wolves’ most important players and has featured in all of their Premier League matches so far. He’s only under contract through 2026, however, so Gary O’Neil’s team could be forced to make a sale if he refuses to sign an extension.

Bournemouth have not confirmed the length of Kerkez’s contract, although reports suggest his contract expires in 2027. Arsenal and Manchester United have also been linked with the Cherries full-back.

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Liverpool want new left-back in January – sources

Sources have revealed to TEAMtalk that Liverpool are keen to sign a new left-back in the January transfer window and confirmed they have their eye on Kerkez.

Kerkez has been followed by the Reds for a long time and his performances and potential make him a potential long-term replacement for Robertson.

Our information suggests that, contrary to reports, Kerkez is actually Liverpool’s first left-back target, rather than Ait-Nouri, although the Wolves star is also admired.

Slot wants to build a team capable of dominating English football and with Kerkez still only 20 years old, he looks set to improve further as he gains experience.

Sources say that while Kerkez fully respects Bournemouth, he is ‘ready to leave’ and take on a new challenge at a top club like Liverpool. He expects this season to be his last at the Vitality Stadium.

Liverpool gossip: Trent ‘rejects’ contract offer / Mbeumo eyed

Meanwhile, Liverpool are doing everything they can to tie Trent Alexander-Arnold to a new contract amid interest from Real Madrid.

His current contract expires next summer, sparking fears he could leave on a free transfer. Real Madrid have long been in contact with Alexander-Arnold’s entourage and have made him a prime target for 2025.

Alexander-Arnold will be eligible to open pre-contractual negotiations with foreign clubs from the start of January and Madrid are ready to offer him a lucrative deal.

Recent reports suggest that the England international has already rejected several contract offers from Liverpool and that he ‘intends’ to leave the club and join the La Liga giants.

However, sources have still told TEAMtalk that Liverpool are confident they can tie Alexander-Arnold to a new contract before January.

In other news, Liverpool have identified Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo as a potential replacement for Mo Salahwho should leave next summer.

Brentford are expected to demand £50million for Mbeumo and are aware that Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle are interested in signing him.

Liverpool are also closely monitoring Bayern Munich’s Leroy Sane, Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi and Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo in anticipation of Salah’s departure.

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TO THE POINT: Rayan Ait-Nouri against Milos Kerkez