Liverpool readying £85 million offer for La Liga midfielder

Jordan Henderson has joined up with Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of their Nations League games against Italy and Germany. 

The Liverpool captain was omitted from the squad initially having been injured of late, but he is now fit enough to replace Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips, who withdrew from the squad.

Henderson has missed Liverpool’s last two matches due to injury, the England international being one of several midfield players that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been missing through injury.

The likes of Naby Keita, Thiago Alcantara and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have all been sidelined lately, forcing Klopp to make a last ditch move for Arthur Melo shortly before the transfer window shut.

The Brazilian joined on loan from Juventus, but it is now being reported that Liverpool are ready to reignite their interest in Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde.

According to AS via The Sun, Liverpool had an £85 million bid for the Uruguayan ready over the summer and they are now preparing to make another offer for the player.

Valverde, 24, scored the winner for Real in the Madrid derby against Atletico on Sunday, marking a performance which was the latest in a string of superb showings from the midfielder.

Valverde’s goal against Atletico on Sunday turned out to be the winner

The Uruguay international has scored four goals already this season, including one in each of his past three games, and that appears to have attracted the attention of Liverpool once again.

Valverde was originally a central midfielder but has been used on the right of Madrid’s front three more often than not lately, although he is also more than capable of playing at right-back or as a holding midfielder.

The midfielder made a total of 46 appearances across all competitions last term but found his opportunities to start matches limited by midfield trio Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, meaning he started just 19 La Liga games.

He was utilised further forward by Carlo Ancelotti, and is now flourishing alongside the likes of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.

It is claimed by the Spanish outlet that Liverpool made a late offer for Valverde during the recent window, but those in charge of the Spanish side were believed to have been ‘offended’ by the offer.

The star is set to be a key player for Uruguay at the upcoming World Cup this winter, alongside the likes of Darwin Nunez Rodrigo Bentancur.

Having made his debut back in 2017, Valverde has now been capped more than 40 times for the senior side.