Liverpool keeping eye on Serbian attacking midfielder wanted by Manchester City: Reports
Liverpool are reportedly looking to snap up Crvena Zvezda midfielder Andrija Maksimovic, a Manchester City target. The 17-year-old has made heads turns, becoming Serbia's youngest capped player last weekend.
Maksimovic accomplished the feat in a 2-0 home win over Switzerland in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday (October 12). After Nico Elvedi's own goal for the Swiss in first-half stoppage time in Leskovac, Serbia striker Aleksandar Mitrovic scored just past the hour mark to confirm the three points for his team.
Meanwhile, Maksimovic has assisted once in seven games across competitions for Crvena after making his first-team debut last season. That assist has come in four games in the Super liga Srbije this campaign for the league leaders.
Although he's contracted with the Serbian giants till 2027, Maksimovic could be on the move before that, with Sky Sports Germany reporter Patrick Berger (via RousingtheKop) reporting interest from Liverpool. The teenager is said to have a release clause of €15 million.
However, the Reds are not the only side in the fray, as there's interest from City, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus, as per Berger.
What's next for Liverpool?
Liverpool have made a superb start to the season under new head coach Arne Slot, who replaced the legendary Jurgen Klopp this summer. The Reds have won six of their opening seven Premier League games to lead second-placed holders Manchester City (17) by a point.
Slot's side have also fared well in Europe, winning their opening two UEFA Champions League games convincingly. Following a 3-1 win at AC Milan, the Reds beat Bologna 2-0 at home to remain perfect in the European competition.
Meanwhile, the Premier League leaders opened their EFL Cup campaign with a resounding 5-1 home win over West Ham United last month. They are next in action in the league, where they host high-flying Chelsea on Sunday (October 20).
Enzo Maresca's side are unbeaten in seven games across competitions since losing 2-1 at Servette in the second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League play-off, which they won 3-2 on aggregate.
Their five-game win streak across competitions was snapped by Nottingham Forest in a 1-1 Premier League home draw just before the ongoing international break.
The Blues are fourth in the standings, with 14 points, with their only league loss this season being a 2-0 home reverse to four-time defending champions Manchester City on the opening day.