Liverpool are monitoring a selection of players currently playing in the Under-21 European Championship.
Liverpool’s transfer target Manu Kone was on crutches after injuring his knee in France’s last match at the Under-21 Euros.
Les Blues secured their place in the knockout stages of the competition after a crushing 4-1 win against Switzerland last night, meaning they will face Ukraine in the quarter-finals on Sunday.
One player they cannot call up for this game is Kone, who was forced off the field in the 19th minute of last night’s win after suffering a knee injury.
The Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder was later seen leaving the stadium on crutches, suggesting this setback could prove to be serious.
Kone started the match against Switzerland alongside Reds target Khephren Thuram, which lasted 70 minutes before being replaced by Joris Chotard.
Other players of interest to Liverpool, Ryan Gravenberch and Gabri Veiga, also competed in the Under-21 European Championship, scuppering the Reds’ hopes of getting players through before Jürgen Klopp reports in for pre-season on 8 July.
An injury to Kone is set to further complicate the possibility of Liverpool making a move for the 22-year-old, who could now be facing a spell on the sidelines.
Offering an update on the situation, L’Equipe have reported the former Toulouse star will ‘undergo medical examinations’ today to discover the extent of his injury.
Liverpool’s only signing this summer remains Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister, who has been acquired in a £35m transfer deal. The Argentine international will wear the number 10 shirt, last worn by Sadio Mane.
