Liverpool attempted sensational move for England defender

Liverpool produced a dominant display to earn a statement 3-0 victory over rivals Manchester United on Sunday. 

A first-half brace from Luis Diaz put the visitors in charge at Old Trafford, before forward Mohamed Salah added a third for Arne Slot’s side after the break.

The Merseyside outfit were relatively quiet during this summer’s transfer window, with Giorgi Mamardashvili and Federico Chiesa the only two arrivals at Anfield.

Now, though, it has emerged that Liverpool made an audacious move to sign an England international.

As reported by Football Insider, the Reds approached the agent of Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite about a potential move.

The report claims that Liverpool have a ‘concrete’ and active interest in the Toffees’ centre-back, who broke into the England senior setup at the end of last season but narrowly missed out on a place in the Three Lions squad for the Euros.

Branthwaite has emerged as a shock target for Merseyside rivals Liverpool

Branthwaite, 22, joined Everton from Football League side Carlisle United in 2020 and has since played 54 times for the Merseyside club.

He has spent time on loan at both Blackburn Rovers and PSV Eindhoven, but established himself as a regular at Goodison Park last term.

Branthwaite is yet to appear for Sean Dyche’s side this season, though.

It is claimed that Branthwaite would be interested in a potential move to Liverpool, which would make him the first player to swap Goodison Park for Anfield in more than two decades.

The Toffees are in a relatively strong negotiation position, though, as Branthwaite is contracted to the club for three more years.

After interest from a host of clubs including Manchester United and Manchester City earlier this summer, it emerged that Everton value the central defender at around £80 million.