Liverpool set to match Chelsea’s offer for midfielder

Chelsea battled to a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Liverpool in their opening game of the Premier League season on Sunday. 

Luis Diaz put the visitors ahead at Anfield after latching onto Mohamed Salah’s superb pass, and the Egyptian then scored himself before VAR intervened and ruled the goal out for offside.

New signing Axel Disasi then drew the hosts level, before Ben Chilwell had a goal disallowed for an equally tight offside call.

Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino will feel that his side could have won his first game in charge, but the Argentine will have taken plenty of positives from the match.

The Reds and the Blues have been locked in a battle to sign Moises Caicedo in recent days, with Liverpool outbidding their rivals for the Ecuador international only to be told that Caicedo himself is intent on a move to Stamford Bridge.

Now, it appears that Liverpool could be attempting to hijack another Chelsea pursuit.

Lavia is a target for both Chelsea and Liverpool

As per 90min, the Merseyside outfit are prepared to match Chelsea’s bid for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia.

The Belgian has been heavily linked with a move away from St. Mary’s following Southampton’s relegation at the end of last season, and Chelsea are believed to have made a £48 million offer in recent days.

Liverpool are also interested in the 19-year-old, though, and are willing to table an offer of the same amount in an effort to land Lavia.

Southampton are said to be holding firm on their £50 million valuation of Lavia, who joined the Saints from Manchester City last summer.

The teenager enjoyed an impressive first season on the south coast, making 34 appearances across all competitions.

Both Chelsea and Liverpool are on the hunt for midfield reinforcements after allowing several midfielders to leave this summer.

Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita have all departed Anfield, while Chelsea have lost N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount.