Jurgen Klopp has already told Liverpool why they need to sign £70m star

Liverpool have had their odds of signing Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite this summer dramatically slashed with the player having previously been lauded by Jurgen Klopp. The 22-year-old was absent from his club’s opening day debacle against Brighton on Saturday, with Sean Dyche’s side beaten 3-0 at home to Brighton.

But it was Branthwaite who was one of the shining lights of a difficult season for the Toffees in 2023/24, his form earning him a place in the England’s training squad for 2024.

However, he wasn’t selected in the final 26 for Germany, a decision from Gareth Southgate which was widely criticised.

He was a prime target for Manchester United this summer, but the club failed with two bids after failing to meet Everton’s reported £70million valuation. Links have now cooled however, with United having signed Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich.

But in a surprise development, Sky Bet have slashed odds on Branthwaite joining Liverpool before the transfer window closes on August 31. There have been no concrete reports of Liverpool’s interest. Arne Slot is yet to make a signing since taking over from Klopp, but is seeming set to sell Joe Gomez after leaving the defender out of the squad for the win over Ipswich.

Jarell Quansah was also hooked at half-time, despite the manager later admitting there was no injury issue. And it’s fuelled speculation that the Dutchman will imminently target a new signing at centre-back.

And it’s a transfer his predecessor would undoubtedly have approved of. Speaking ahead of the Merseyside derby at Anfield last October, he singled the former Carlisle player out for praise, saying: “Everton’s last line is super-experienced, and with Branthwaite they have a really good left-footed centre-half.”

The Toffees lost the game 2-0, but took revenge by beating their rivals by the same scoreline in April, after which Klopp again revealed his admiration. He explained he chose not to bring youngster Jayden Danns off the bench because of his fears anout how Branthwaite and James Tarkowski would treat him. 

“I know we had Dannsy on the bench,” he said. “But that’s not (wasn’t) a game for an 18-year-old boy, and Tarkowski and Branthwaite kill you in these situations and it doesn’t help.”

Branthwaite sat out the end of Everton’s pre-season campaign after undergoing minor groin surgery. And speaking ahead of the Brighton defeat, Dyche admitted he could not yet put a definitive date on when he’ll return.

“He is still not there yet,” he said. “I don’t think he’ll be there for next Saturday against Brighton. He still has a bit of work to do yet.”