Liverpool are not pursuing Schalke midfielder Weston McKennie, despite reports to the contrary, according to the Evening Standard.
The newspaper claims that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is happy with his current central midfield options. talkSPORT claimed on Friday that Liverpool were considering a £20million move for the 20-year-old.
The Reds are thought to have zero interest in the American, with the club considering alternative midfielders ahead of a summer recruitment drive.
McKennie has made 19 appearances for the German giants this season, scoring two goals and registering two assists in all competitions.
OPINION
This is an interesting one. Obviously McKennie is a hot prospect, you don’t nail down a starting spot at a club like Schalke for nothing. However, Klopp does have a lot of central midfielders to choose from at this moment in time and so it’s probably not the best idea to be bringing more in. He prioritised the position in the summer when he brought in Fabinho and Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be returning at some point as well. So there’s currently not an automatic spot in the squad for McKennie. The fact that the American is a more defensive minded midfielder must also contribute to Liverpool’s lack of interest in him. The Reds have Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and James Milner who can all operate in a deeper midfield role and so McKennie isn’t really needed. Perhaps in a few years time he’ll be someone who might end up at Anfield, but right now he’s not a signing that the club need.
