Liverpool prepared to offer current midfielder as part of swap deal for top target

Football in the UK is set to return from Tuesday onwards, with the second round of Champions League group stage matches taking place. 

All football across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland was postponed over the weekend as a mark of respect for Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on Thursday.

It had been speculated that midweek fixtures may also have to be rearranged, but it has since been confirmed that games will go ahead as planned.

One side that will be in action is Liverpool, who will be trying to improve on their performance last time out, when they were beaten 4-1 by Napoli in Italy.

The Reds host Dutch champions Ajax this time around, and will be expected to return to winning ways following the disappointment of their trip to Naples.

Jurgen Klopp could make a number of changes to his side, with many of his players having failed to impress against Napoli.

One player that won’t play, though, is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, as the Englishman remains sidelined through injury.

The former England international could, in fact, soon be on his way out of Anfield, according to reports.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is a huge admirer of Villa manager Steven Gerrard

The Express claims that Liverpool could be prepared to let the midfielder leave as part of a swap deal, if it increased their chances of landing Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz.

Liverpool joined Premier League rivals Arsenal in showing interest in the Aston Villa midfielder towards the end of the recent transfer window, and the report claims that Klopp could once again consider a move for the player when it reopens in January.

The Reds could benefit from Oxlade-Chamberlain’s previous comments, as the ex-Arsenal man has spoken before of his admiration for Villans boss Steven Gerrard.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, 29, has previously labelled ex-Liverpool captain Gerrard his ‘idol’, implying that the Southampton academy product would be open to the idea of playing under him.

The midfielder joined Liverpool from Arsenal in 2017 but has struggled for game time at Anfield, particularly over the past few seasons.

Last term, he started just nine Premier League games, with the likes of Thiago, Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita all often preferred.

While Villa and Gerrard were adamant over the summer that Luiz would not be leaving the club, the prospect of a player-plus-cash deal may tempt them to part ways with him in January.

Luiz has established himself as one of the Premier League’s best defensive midfielders in recent seasons, having joined Villa from Manchester City during the summer of 2019.

Arsenal had three offers for the Brazilian rejected on deadline day, with Gerrard standing firm on the issue.