The Merseyside giants strengthened their midfield last summer with Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai , Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch last summer.

Despite this, there has been a fragility in the centre of the park and the Reds definitely need a marquee defensive midfielder. Endo has been decent, but not great.

Foot Mercato claim that the Reds are concretely moving with an approach for Varela, who has been dubbed as the new Javier Mascherano .

The Argentine only joined Porto from Boca Juniors last summer, but he has already established himself as a key player in the number six role.

Varela's performances have already caught the eye of Paris Saint-Germain, but the Reds are optimistic of prising him away ahead of them.

Porto have not set an asking price for the 22-year-old and they are expected to hold out for the €70m release clause in his current contract.

Related

---