Premier League champions Liverpool will hope to return to winning ways when they face rivals Manchester United after the International break.
The Reds started the season with five consecutive victories but have since been beaten by both Crystal Palace and Chelsea, allowing title rivals Arsenal to leapfrog them into top spot in the top flight table.
Arne Slot will be desperate to see his side get back on tract when they face the Red Devils, who themselves have endured a dismal start to the new campaign.
Off the pitch, however, it has emerged that the two sides are both interested in a Bundesliga defender.
According to CaughtOffside, both Liverpool and Manchester United are in the race to sign RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba.
Lukeba has attracted interest from some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs (Photo: DPA Picture Alliance/Alamy)
The report claims that the two sides – along with Premier League rivals Chelsea – are interested in the centre-back, who has been in fine form for his current side this season.
Lukeba, 22, joined Leipzig from French giants Lyon in 2023 and has since made 79 appearances for the club across all competitions.
It is claimed that, while the player’s current contract includes a release clause set at around £78 million, the Bundesliga outfit would likely allow him to leave for a fee closer to £52 million.
Premier League champions Liverpool were interested in the player during the recent summer transfer window, and the report suggests that they could reignite that interest amid uncertainty surrounding the future of Ibrahima Konate.
Newcastle United and La Liga giants Real Madrid are also both said to be monitoring the Frenchman, who has played six times for his country at senior level.
Lukeba’s current contract with Leipzig is set to run until the end of the 2028/29 season.