Liverpool round-up: Pundit highlights ideal signing; Coutinho update; £15m bid prepared

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Liverpool hero and former player and assistant manager Phil Thompson has told the Irish Examiner that Liverpool should pursue a potential loan deal for Chelsea striker Diego Costa. Costa is set to leave west London with Atletico Madrid, who are under a transfer ban, a potential destination. He said:

“Dare I say it: Diego Costa signs for Atletico Madrid and then gets loaned out to Liverpool? It would be quite a dream, wouldn’t it? I’d take him for six months. Going back three or four years when Liverpool were in for Costa, I think we offered £20 million. It was £25 million and the deal never got done. I was amazed. If we’d have had Suarez and Diego Costa, God, they’d have frightened everybody.”

The move would be a sensational one and would see the Reds go back in for a former target. However, it does seem unlikely, particularly given that Jurgen Klopp has not prioritised a move for a centre forward this summer and Costa would not come cheaply.

In huge news for Reds fans, Italian newspaper Corriere Dello Sport report that Barcelona have changed their plans and no longer view Philippe Coutinho as their first choice target to replace Neymar. The Brazilian is now second choice behind Juventus forward Pablo Dybala.

That could see Liverpool retain their number ten, who missed out on Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao with a back injury. Klopp has repeatedly insisted that he is not for sale and that approach could now appear to be paying dividends if Barcelona do drop their interest.

Elsewhere, French newspaper Le Telegramme believe that the club are pondering over a £15.4 million bid for Rennes club captain Benjamin Andre. He would be a cheap make-do alternative to Naby Keita and a replacement for Lucas Leiva in midfield as Klopp looks to add depth to his squad.

The 27-year-old was once a France under 21 international and has impressed at Rennes, becoming a fan favourite and earning a contract until 2022. Now, Liverpool may look to bring him to Merseyside.