Liverpool have regularly scouted a 19-year-old star.
Reports from Germany have linked the Reds with a Finnish star, who the club have watched regularly.
We’ve seen Liverpool flex their muscles with European youth recruitment this season as the Academy has snapped up talents from Germany and Poland.
But this is someone with first team experience, and who would be signed to provide a senior option sooner rather than later.
Liverpool have got plenty of experience at the back and are led by the indomitable Virgil van Dijk, who seems to improve everyone that he plays with. You have to think that any young centre-backs learn from the Dutchman – something former Academy starlets have confirmed to Rush The Kop.
BILD has confirmed that the Reds have regularly scouted Finnish central defender Malick Thiaw, who has started and finished Schalke’s last two Bundesliga games.
Thiaw recently signed a deal that extended his contract to 2024 and contains no release clause, said the report, which will make it harder for Liverpool to swoop in and sign the starlet.
His playing style has drawn comparisons to current Red Joel Matip, said Sport1. The 19-year-old is tall, but must play with a sense of inherent class if he’s been compared to Matip, who also played for Schalke.
Thiaw has got an excellent record for the SO4 youth teams. He played 52 times for the U19 side, scoring nine goals but only made three appearances for Schalke II before his elevation to the first team.
Rhys Williams has come through the Academy to make three Champions League appearances and will be reading these links with interest. He’s already been christened as the Baby van Dijk and won’t want any more competition for places.
Thiaw has clearly got potential and will get minutes in the Bundesliga, but does he have what it takes to become van Dijk’s mentee or the next Matip?