Liverpool to battle Barcelona for Philipp Max?

Liverpool are reportedly preparing to go head-to-head with Barcelona for the signature of Augsburg defender Philipp Max in this summer's transfer window.

The Reds and the Spanish champions are both said to be interested in Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Kai Havertz ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.

According to Sport, the two European giants are also locked in a battle for Max, who has made 125 appearances for Augsburg since arriving in 2015.

Barca are believed to be on the lookout for a new left-back this summer to provide competition for Jordi Alba, with Bayern Munich's David Alaba also said to be a target.

Liverpool, meanwhile, allowed Alberto Moreno to leave at the end of the 2018-19 campaign and are currently lacking senior competition for Andrew Robertson on the left side of the defence.

Max - yet to be capped by Germany - has a contract at the WWK Arena until the summer of 2022.