Liverpool are reportedly contemplating a late swoop to sign Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge.
Jurgen Klopp recently revealed that the Reds could move for a new centre-midfielder before Thursday's deadline, with Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all sidelined with injury at present.
"I am the one who said we don't need a midfielder, and you were all right and I was wrong," Klopp told reporters last week. "That's the situation. But the specific point doesn't change — we will do something but it has to be the right one.
"We are actually working constantly on these things, sometimes [a possible transfer is] too expensive, sometimes not the right player, sometimes the situation changes. We are working and will see if something will happen or not. I don't know.
"We are looking and if it is the right player we need him, and if it is not the right player we don't need him. We will not change how we deal with the situation so there is nothing for me to say to you in this moment. We will see."
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According to the Yorkshire Post, Sheffield United have already rejected bids from Belgian outfit Club Brugge for 24-year-old Berge, but Liverpool have now joined the race for his signature.
The report adds that Berge has £35m release clause included in his contract, which runs until the summer of 2024.
Sheffield United are believed to be keen to keep hold of the Norway international, but they are aware of interest from clubs in higher divisions who are competing in Europe.
Berge arrived at Bramall Lane from Genk in 2020 for a club-record £22m and he has since made a total of 73 appearances across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and providing seven assists.
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The 6ft 5in midfielder was hampered with injuries between the second half of the 2020-21 campaign and the beginning of last season, but he has since featured regularly in the first team and is regarded as a key player under head coach Paul Heckingbottom.
Berge has started in each of Sheffield United's six Championship fixtures, scoring twice and registering one assist, and he is expected to feature in their top-of-the-table clash against Reading on Tuesday night.
Berge is not the only midfielder to have been linked with a move to Anfield, as Liverpool are also believed to be keeping tabs on Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham, although a move for the England international is thought to be more likely next summer.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' Ruben Neves, Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo and Celtic's Matt O'Riley are also believed to be on Liverpool's radar.
Klopp has made three signings so far this summer, with Darwin Nunez, Fabio Carvalho and Calvin Ramsey all moving to Anfield on permanent deals.
Oliver Thomas
