Report: Liverpool had Mehri Demiral bid knocked back by Juventus

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Liverpool were knocked back with an attempt to sign Juventus enforcer Merih Demiral, according to Sky Italia, via the Express.

Injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip have seen Liverpool head into the transfer market this month.

They had turned their attentions to Demiral but saw a bid of £45 million rejected by Juventus ahead of the transfer window.

The Reds had maintained for a long period that they wouldn’t enter the market for a defender this month.

An injury to Matip in the recent win over Tottenham, however, has seen them change tact somewhat.

Demiral won’t be the man Liverpool add though, with Ben Davies from Preston North End nearing a move to Anfield.

The Turkish defender has fallen down the pecking order in Turin, playing just 14 times in all competitions this season, including three times in the Champions League.

At 22, the Old Lady clearly feel he will have something to offer in the future, however, and are keen to keep him around.

Juventus didn’t want to sell given the little time they would have to find a replacement, scuppering Liverpool in their efforts.

Yesterday, Jordan Henderson partnered Nat Phillips at the back for the champions, helping the Reds to a 3-1 win over West Ham.

TBR View: Demiral could have been perfect for Liverpool

The young defender fits the profile of a Reds performer nicely and is at a good age to continue improving.

He is paid £54,000-a-week at Juventus and that sort of salary would hardly break the bank for Liverpool.

Michael Edwards knows a player when he sees one and clearly, he and Klopp felt Demiral was the man to come in and do a job for the Reds.

Now it’s a case of back to the drawing board for the champions and it’ll be interesting to see if Liverpool return for him during the summer.