Liverpool have a budget set aside for a new centre-back but won’t commit the same sort of funds they are willing to pay for a central midfielder.

Football Insider revealed on Friday (18 August) that the Reds are ready to prioritise a deal for a left-sided centre-back after completing the signing of defensive midfielder Wataru Endo from Stuttgart.

Schuurs, is seen as a realistically priced option for the Merseysiders and could cost around £30million.

Sources have told Football Insider that Reds captain and fellow countryman Virgil van Dijk is “well aware” of the 23-year-old’s talents and is a “big fan” of the defender.

Schuurs’ current contract at Torino runs until 2026 after joining from Ajax last summer where he won three Eredivisie titles and two Dutch Cups during his four years at the club.

The Dutchman made 36 appearances for the Serie A side last season and netted one goal and offered up two assists in those outings.

In other news, Kieran Maguire reveals what FSG really think of Liverpool stadium delay

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arth Crooks wants Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai to prove himself as their new number 8

Liverpool secured their first Premier League victory of 2023-24 in front of their home fans at Anfield on Saturday, winning 3-1 against Bournemouth after their 1-1 draw against Chelsea last weekend.

The Reds found themselves behind after just three minutes, but Luis Diaz drew them level 24 minutes later before Mohamed Salah put them in front from the spot after scoring on the rebound nine minutes before the break.

Diogo Jota put the game out of reach for the Cherries two minutes after the hour mark, and while the Liverpool front three grabbed the goals, their midfield put in an impressive shift, with Dominik Szoboszlai taking charge of proceedings throughout.

The Reds were reduced to ten men in the 58th minute after Alexis MacAllister was shown a straight red card, but the hosts still continued to dominate thanks to their £60 million summer signing.

BBC pundit Garth Crooks was also impressed with the performance of the Hungarian midfielder, but he reckons he needs to do more if he wants to follow in the footsteps of the greats who donned the number 8 jersey before him.

“He can certainly play,” he wrote in his Team of the Week column.

“Liverpool’s new signing Szoboszlai showed all the touches of a good player against Bournemouth and looks like he wants to be constantly involved in the play.

“Well, if he is going to wear Liverpool’s number eight shirt, someone at Anfield had better tell him what that means and who has worn that shirt before him.

“Sammy Lee, Brian Hall, Jimmy Case and Steven Gerrard, who immortalised the jersey, have all worn that shirt with distinction. Szoboszlai needs to know he has big shoes to fill and a heart to match.”

Naby Keita was the last player to wear the jersey number 8 for Liverpool, and he did not live up to the lofty expectations that come with such a shirt.

Szoboszlai is part of a new-look Liverpool midfield as they look to replace the likes of James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, and all eyes will be on the 22-year-old this term as manager Jurgen Klopp looks to guide his side back to the top of the league after an underwhelming campaign which saw them finish fifth in the Premier League last term.

The Hungary captain bagged 20 goals and 21 assists in 91 games for RB Leipzig, so fans can expect him to deliver in front of goal going forward as Liverpool need attacking help across all areas on the pitch if they want to win major silverware this term.

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