Report: Liverpool contact Leicester City to deny Riyad Mahrez interest

Liverpool have reportedly told Leicester City that they are not interested in Riyad Mahrez.

The Algeria international, who continues to impress for the Foxes, has made no secret of his desire to depart the King Power Stadium for a new challenge.

The Reds, meanwhile, may be on the lookout for a new attacker should Philippe Coutinho complete a purported move to Barcelona this month.

According to L'Equipe, the Reds had identified the former PFA Player of the Year as the ideal candidate to replace Coutinho.

However, PA reporter Carl Markham - who covers Liverpool and Everton - has countered the report from the French news outlet by suggesting that the Reds have been in touch with Leicester to distance themselves from the speculation.

"Understand @LFC have contacted @LCFC directly to tell them they have no interest in winger Riyad Mahrez - among a number of first-teamers left out of the Foxes' FA Cup team at Fleetwood - and speculation is 'complete fabrication'," Markham wrote on Twitter.

Mahrez has enjoyed an excellent campaign for Leicester, with seven goals and seven assists coming from 22 Premier League appearances.