Liverpool transfer 'twist' sees ex-Premier League star emerge as target

Liverpool have had a change of heart in relation to one of their transfer targets as Arne Slot makes an apparent U-turn on a European star.

The Reds’ season is in danger of flatlining after the champions dropped points again in midweek following their draw at home to Sunderland, leaving Slot’s side in ninth place over a third of the way into the campaign.

With Liverpool trailing Premier League leaders Arsenal by 11 points ahead of their trip to Leeds United, their Dutch boss would be forgiven for mulling over big changes in the transfer market as the January window approaches.

And according to a recent claim from Bild, it appears that there has been an element of indecision over who might be able to help save their season.

While it has been reported that Liverpool have long been admirers of Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise, it seemed as though the links had gone cold, with Bild previously claiming that the Reds had ‘backed away’ from pursuing the Frenchman.

However, after a fresh ‘twist’, this may not be the case, with Bild’s deputy football editor, Tobias Altschaffl, hinting that Olise is indeed on the Reds’ transfer radar after all.

According to Altschaffl, Olise may only be on a “backup” list at Anfield, but this U-turn could point to a lack of organisation behind the scenes – a far cry from the laser-focused transfer policy Michael Edwards oversaw at the height of Jurgen Klopp’s successes on Merseyside.

To add weight to this, there doesn’t even seem to be a realistic chance of luring the ex-Crystal Palace ace to the club.

Altschaffl claimed (as per Sport Witness): “Michael Olise is on this backup list.

“Bayern are very confident that Olise won’t leave. Why would they let him go? But it’s understandable that Liverpool are interested in him.”

Altschaffl’s scepticism over a deal appears to be well-founded, with Bayern flying under Vincent Kompany this season in an almost faultless campaign to date.

The Bavarians have won 11 out of 12 Bundesliga games and came unstuck against Arsenal in the Champions League in late November – their first defeat since July’s Club World Cup campaign.

Olise has been at the heart of their red-hot form, too – recording 20 goal involvements in 21 games, including five in their 6-2 demolition of Freiburg last month.

Given Liverpool’s indifferent form this term, it would be one hell of a sales pitch to get the 13-cap star on board.

Graduated in Sport Journalism (BA) with first-class honours from the University of Brighton and has since had bylines in The Times, sports business publication SportsPro, Football FanCast and The Gooner fanzine.