Liverpool are reportedly keeping a close eye on the progress of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson as they weigh up a swoop for the 22-year-old in 2025.
The Reds have done little wrong under Arne Slot in the Dutchman's debut campaign and remain six points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table, with a game in hand on the Gunners to boot.
Key to Liverpool's sensational form in 2024-25 has been the partnership of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch at the base of the midfield, with the latter unexpectedly becoming one of the Premier League's most influential players this season.
While Mac Allister and Gravenberch have managed to stay free of serious injuries this season, Liverpool's midfield depth beyond the duo is a point of concern, as Wataru Endo and Tyler Morton are seldom seen on the field.
Curtis Jones has also been preferred in a more advanced position, often rotating with Dominik Szoboszlai in the number 10 slot, and Liverpool are expected to try for engine room additions either this month or in 2025.
Anderson earning 'rave reviews' from Liverpool scouts
© Imago
According to The Sun, the league leaders have been running the rule over Forest star Anderson, who has come into his own at the City Ground since joining in a £34.2m deal from Newcastle United this summer.
The 22-year-old has set up five goals in 18 Premier League matches for Forest, who are mounting an unforeseen Champions League charge under Nuno Espirito Santo, lying third in the table and just eight points off the Reds.
Anderson has largely featured in a deep-lying midfield position over the past few weeks, but he has also been deployed in a playmaking role and left-midfield slot, starting 14 Premier League games so far.
Liverpool's scouts have apparently been sending 'rave reviews' of Anderson's performances back to HQ, and the club are determined to position themselves at the head of the queue for a summer move.
However, Anderson's contract at the City Ground does not expire until 2029, meaning that Forest have no need to sell the former Newcastle man and could justifiably demand a profit on the £34.2m they shelled out in 2025.
Which other midfielders have Liverpool been linked with?
© Imago
With Morton only making senior appearances in EFL Cup games this season and 31-year-old Endo totalling just 56 minutes of Premier League football amid links with Fulham, Liverpool could try to bolster their midfield ranks as a matter of priority this summer.
The Reds made a concerted effort to lure Martin Zubimendi away from Real Sociedad in the summer, only for the player to stay loyal to his boyhood club, but that deal could be revisited at the end of the season.
Fellow La Liga midfielder Frenkie de Jong is also believed to have emerged as a surprise target for the Merseyside giants, and an Arsenal midfielder could help Slot complete a deal for the Barcelona man, who is in the last 18 months of his contract.
Finally, Liverpool could reportedly land Porto's Nico Gonzalez for £50m thanks to a clause in his contract, but sporting director Richard Hughes already has his hands full with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah's contract situations.
Liverpool headline this weekend's Premier League action with a blockbuster home game against Manchester United, and Slot could receive a triple boost for the visit of the Red Devils.
Ben Knapton
