Jurgen Klopp admits he watched £40m Liverpool target do something for the first time last weekend

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Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are up against Championship opposition tonight in the FA Cup. Southampton who have lost three games of their last four games, may not represent a huge challenge on paper. However, given Liverpool’s tired legs and the amount of academy players who could be involved, this may be a tougher test than first thought on paper.

Speaking ahead of the game, Klopp curiously revealed that he had been watching Championship matches recently. Including the clash between Southampton’s two promotion rivals Leeds United vs Leicester City at the weekend.

“I love the Championship. I watch it so often,” Jurgen Klopp said in his press conference. “I watched it last week, Leeds [vs] Leicester. Wow! The football is played at an intensity in the Championship [that] is absolutely insane.”

What’s interesting about his comments is that playing in that game was a player who has been on Liverpool’s transfer radar recently.

Archie Gray on Liverpool’s radar

In the game against Leicester that Klopp watched, Gray scored his first goal in the Championship. The youngster helped Leeds to a late surge of goals to record a comeback victory over Leicester. It was another top performance from the teenager, who is still only 17-years-old.

A player who can play in midfield and at right-back, Gray has even drawn comparisons with Trent Alexander-Arnold. Liverpool reportedly like what they’ve seen and were linked with a £40m move.

After Klopp’s admission that he watched Gray’s team in action and presumably therefore Gray himself, Liverpool’s interest makes even more sense. The club has placed a strong emphasis recently in recruiting young homegrown talent from Britain.

Gray could be yet another exquisite addition to continue that tradition. Following on from the likes of Harvey Elliott, Ben Doak, Kaide Gordon and Bobby Clark. £40m may be a premium but Gray has so much experience in the Championship already and for a player of his potential you do sometimes have to pay big money. In the long run though that investment could pay off, and double or even triple.