Liverpool target Kerem Demirbay said current team Hoffenheim play better football last year

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Reports this week are suggesting Liverpool remain interested in a deal to sign Turkish-born German international Kerem Demirbay. Turkish Football reports that Liverpool remain keen on the player who, according to Bild, has a £28 million release clause.

The report says talks are underway regarding a potential deal for the 25-year-old, who is represented by the same agency as Sadio Mane and Naby Keita.

Liverpool have, of course, faced Demirbay before.

The playmaker featured for Hoffenheim in the Champions League qualifying clash between the two sides at the start of last season.

In fact, Demirbay had some interesting things to say before that fixture. As reported by Bild, the former Hamburg player stated his belief that Hoffenheim play the better football than Liverpool.

“We definitely play the better football. We’ll see in the end whether it will be enough. You have to say honestly that this is a good team but we’re a good team too. We’re not Liverpool but we can go there with our chests out and play completely freely.

“We’re good enough to survive there and score at least two goals.”

– Kerem Demirbay before facing Liverpool at Anfield

Of course, Liverpool had the last laugh. They won an extremely entertaining two-legged tie 6-3 on aggregate and went on to make the final of the Champions League. Although, Demirbay was right. Hoffenheim did score two goals at Anfield, they just happened to also concede four.

Hoffenheim, in the meanwhile, went out of the Europa League bottom of their group containing Braga, Ludogorets Razgrad and Istanbul Baskasehir.

If Liverpool do end up bringing him in, there will no doubt be a few players reminding him of these comments.