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Liverpool make pitch to sign another teenage talent but face competition from within Germany – as they continue to target potential Mo Salah replacement

Liverpool have made a pitch for Hertha Berlin’s much sought after teenage talent Kennet Eichhorn but he has yet to make a decision on his next move.

The 16-year-old defensive midfielder has a number of elite clubs such as Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen all keen to sign him and, owing to his age, would stay in Germany until he is 18.

As part of regular recruitment strategy, Liverpool have identified Eichhorn as a player of potential who could develop into a Premier League player but are not considered ahead of any rival in his pursuit just yet.

The Anfield club have already strengthened their centre back options at that age level with 17-year-old Austria Wien’s Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Celtic’s Dara Jikiemi, 16, joining. While they are working to bring in 17-year-old attacking midfielder Samuel Martinez from Atletico Nacional also.

The first team already has 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha making an impression and Arne Slot is continuing to target 19-year-old RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande as his main transfer target this summer.

They do face competition from Paris Saint-Germain for Diomande but have the Champions League finalists’ Barcola, 23, as another option.

Liverpool have joined the race to sign 16-year-old Kennet Eichhorn (left) from Hertha Berlin

Arne Slot is continuing to push for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande as his main transfer target

Arne Slot is continuing to push for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande as his main transfer target

Liverpool boss Slot was brought in initially with the intention of overseeing a changing of the guard at Anfield with older players such as Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson departing and Alisson Becker potentially in the final throes of his time at the club.

Robertson is advanced in talks to join Tottenham though Juventus made an offer to him last month and have held further discussions to sign him. The Italians, coached by Salah-favourite Luciano Spalletti, also wanted Alisson but the Brazilian looks set to stay for now.

Slot, who is close to appointing his former Feyenoord assistant Etienne Reijnen to his backroom team, is also waiting to hear on Ibrahima Konate’s future. A new contract for the France defender was close to being agreed in April but has been held up over final details.

The 27-year-old wants to stay but foreign clubs are once again alert to the fact he could be available on a free.

Aston Villa are among the clubs showing interest in Joe Gomez.