Liverpool make first move to sign £21 million-rated left-back: Reports

Liverpool have reportedly reached out to Slavia Prague left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf's camp as they look to strengthen their defence this month.

Diouf, who turned 20 last month, has cemented himself as a regular starter for Slavia Prague since arriving from Norwegian club Tromso IL for around £2 million last January. He has gone from strength to strength at his current club, bagging eight goals and providing three assists in 37 overall appearances.

Now, according to Senegalese website D Sports, Liverpool are working on a deal to sign Diouf in the ongoing January transfer window. They view the youngster as an apt replacement for Andrew Robertson, who will turn 31 this March.

The Reds, who have Robertson and Konstantinos Tsimikas as their left-back options, are said to have recently contacted Diouf's agent. They are keen to snap the star, who is valued at £21 million by his current club, up amid reported interest from Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, and Bournemouth as well.

Arne Slot opines on Liverpool striker's future

Earlier on Saturday (January 11), Liverpool eased past EFL League Two side Accrington Stanley as they registered a 4-0 FA Cup third round win at Anfield. Jayden Danns scored his first goal of the season after coming on in the 72nd minute.

At a post-match press conference, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was asked if Danns could be loaned out to another club this month. The Dutchman replied (h/t liverpoolfc.com):

"The last thing [a loan move], I don't know at the moment, to be honest. What I like most about him and with most of the academy players is the mentality they have. So, that's a big compliment for him and definitely also a big compliment to our youth academy because if you are a youngster and you come to the first team, sometimes you are used in a way that you might not expect [in training]."

Sharing additional thoughts on the 18-year-old striker, Slot continued:

"He is a striker, but if we are playing 11v11 and I make the choice to play [Diogo] Jota and the other side Darwin [Nunez] is playing as a nine, he has to play as an 11 or as a six or whatever position we need him. But he will always, like the other academy players, give all they have. James McConnell is also a perfect example of that."

So far, Danns has netted thrice in seven senior appearances for the Reds.