Liverpool news and transfers LIVE – Sadio Mane return, Levi Colwill bid

In the wake of Liverpool ending their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund and England superstar Jude Bellingham earlier this month, OGC Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram has become the latest player to be linked with a move to Anfield ahead of a summer of substantial changes at the club.

As it stands, the Reds are set to lose Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and possibly James Milner at the end of June once their contracts expire. Meanwhile, Arthur Melo’s underwhelming stint on Merseyside will be brought to a merciful end when he returns to Juventus, with Liverpool having no desire to turn his loan stay into a permanent one despite a pre-agreed fee with the Serie A giants.

Yet the decision from the powers that be at Anfield to park their interest in Bellingham in favour of a more reasonable approach to their midfield reconstruction, although initially not too popular, is one that makes a considerable amount of sense given that the glaring issues of the Reds’ season have largely stemmed for a weakness in the centre of the park.

After Thiago Alcantara celebrated his 32nd birthday earlier this month, and with Jordan Henderson set to turn 33 during the off-season, Jurgen Klopp knows the influence of both the Spaniard and his long-serving captain will dwindle in the campaigns ahead and now he must act swiftly to reduce the average age and mileage of his current options with a handful of new additions.

Too, the recent tactical ploy involving Trent Alexander-Arnold, which sees the No.66 move into a more central position when in possession, has placed further importance on a need for mobility next term, with Ibrahima Konate and Henderson the two players currently tasked with covering the right-back’s vacant space.

Despite the small sample size of Klopp’s tweak, the recent Premier League games against Arsenal and Leeds United have highlighted the importance of Konate due to his renowned athleticism and front-footed approach to defending.

But with the Frenchman suffering from a string of muscle injuries this term, it is likely that the Liverpool manager will not be able to rest his hopes entirely on his new look 3-2-2-3 formation in the years ahead and will therefore continue to plan for this summer window as initially intended despite Alexander-Arnold’s recent blossom.

Thuram is, according to a report in the Independent, the latest player to be considered by outgoing sporting director Julian Ward ahead of an active summer on the red half of Merseyside. And pleasingly for Liverpool, the potential arrival of the son of 1998 World Cup winner Lillian, on the face of it, could see the return of a much-desired attribute to the Anfield ranks: durability.

Read the full tactical lowdown, here.