Liverpool have reportedly been handed a boost in their pursuit of Atletico Madrid's versatile midfielder Marcos Llorente.
The 27-year-old was a first-team regular under Diego Simeone last season, featuring 40 times across all competitions in either centre-midfield or at right-back.
Llorente has since made nine appearances in all tournaments this campaign, but he has not played since the beginning of October after sustaining a calf injury, and the Spain international now faces a race against time to be fit for the 2022 World Cup.
The midfielder's presence has been missed by Simeone's side in recent weeks, particularly in the Champions League, with Atletico finishing bottom of Group B and subsequently crashing out of Europe altogether.
According to Fichajes, via Sport Witness, Atletico could be forced to sell some of their key players in the New Year to balance their books, after failing to progress past the Champions League group stage.
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The report adds that Llorente is one of 'the most likely to leave' Los Colchoneros, with Liverpool waiting in the wings to make their move.
Reds manager Jurgen Klopp is said to be an admirer of Llorente and he has requested that the Merseysiders 'make a financial effort' to win the race for his signature.
Llorente, who still has just under five years remaining on his contract, joined Atletico from rivals Real Madrid in the summer of 2019 for around £35m and has since recorded 19 goals and 20 assists in 130 appearances across all competitions.
The 17-cap Spain international scored two goals and provided an assist in Atletico's 3-2 extra-time win against Liverpool at Anfield in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in the 2019-20 campaign.
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It is widely expected that Liverpool will bolster their midfield options within the next two transfer windows, with Llorente one of the latest names to have been linked with a potential move to Anfield.
A recent report claims the Reds are prepared to offload Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Nat Phillips to raise funds in the January window.
Liverpool are expected to be in the race for Borussia Dortmund and England star Jude Bellingham who is set to be the most sought-after midfielder in Europe when the transfer window re-opens.
However, Dortmund are allegedly demanding a fee of £130m for the 19-year-old, who is also wanted by Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid.
Liverpool have also been credited with an interest in the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo, RB Leipzig's Konrad Laimer and Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala.
Oliver Thomas
