Liverpool are trying to stop £31m defender from joining Real Madrid, he’s now a priority for Jurgen Klopp

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Liverpool look set to do battle with Real Madrid in the transfer market once again.

The Reds lost out to Los Blancos in their attempts to sign both Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni in recent years.

But now, according to Spanish outlet Depor, Liverpool are trying to make it third time lucky as they target Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong.

Frimpong has been a key man for Xabi Alonso this season, as Leverkusen sweep all before them. The Dutchman’s good performances have reportedly caught they eye of Madrid, who are said to be on the lookout for a long-term successor to Dani Carvajal.

With Alonso also heavily linked with a move to the Spanish capital, it’s claimed that one of the former Liverpool manager’s conditions for taking the Real job would be the signing of Frimpong.

However, both Chelsea and Liverpool themselves are now said to have ‘stood in the way’ of Madrid. The two Premier League sides have reportedly ‘prioritised’ Frimpong for next summer. This competition could reportedly be a big problem for the Spanish giants, who are claimed to be unwilling to spend more than £31m on the 22-year-old.

Liverpool in Frimpong pursuit

For the time being, it’s hard to imagine exactly why Liverpool would be willing to spend something close to £30m on a right-back.

They currently have one of the very best in the game filling that position and he isn’t going anywhere.

However, when you bear in mind some of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s quotes this week, then perhaps things start to become a little clearer.

Speaking ahead of featuring in midfield for England last night, Trent claimed that playing centrally ‘gets the best out of him.’ It’s clear that the 25-year-old sees his long-term future away from right-back.

If Jurgen Klopp doesn’t see it that way, then Alexander-Arnold’s view may become irrelevant. But it’s hard to imagine that Jurgen is not fully aware of the Scouser’s desire to play a more creative role.

If the manager does indeed decide to indulge his full-back, then Liverpool will need a replacement. For now their back-ups are the young and unfortunately injury-ridden Calvin Ramsay and Conor Bradley. If Trent is shifted forward, someone more senior will have to be brought in.

In that case, the whole landscape shifts. And something around the £30m mark looks like actually being a very good deal for Frimpong.

The whole of the Leverkusen team – as well as Alonso himself – is the toast of Europe so far this season. But Frimpong looks to be more than a flash in the pan. His performances last campaign also saw links surface with some of Europe’s elite. If Trent is no longer in the equation, then the former Celtic man is one of the best alternatives out there.