NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - Thursday, February 4, 2016: Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold in action against Nottingham Forest's Ben Brereton during the FA Youth Cup 5th Round match at the City Ground. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Liverpool bid £2.5 million for teenage striker in attempt to beat Man United

Liverpool are reported to have made a £2.5 million bid for Nottingham Forest striker Ben Brereton in January, rivalling Man United‘s interest.

Brereton has been making waves in Nottinghamshire this season for his performances for the Forest U23s, and recently made his debut for the first team against Leeds United.

He has since made three appearances for Gary Brazil’s side, scoring his first senior goal with a late winner against Aston Villa on February 4.

Brazil could prove influential in Brereton’s future, with This is Anfield revealing at the beginning of January that Jurgen Klopp had called the 54-year-old to enquire about the striker.

And now, according to the Mirror, the Reds have also seen a big-money bid for Brereton rejected in the closing stages of the January transfer window.

While their £2.5 million offer was turned down, Liverpool are said to be continuing to monitor the 17-year-old’s progress, hoping to beat rivals United to his signature in the summer.

It is unlikely Brereton would join Klopp’s first-team squad, though the German has shown his faith in youth since his arrival on Merseyside.

He would join Ben Woodburn and Rhian Brewster as another highly talented young forward on the Reds’ books, swelling Klopp’s options for the long term.

Klopp has come under criticism for failing to sign any players in the January window, but is likely to make considerable additions in the summer, given his side’s failings in 2017.

Goalkeeper, centre-back, left-back, defensive midfield and attack are all areas that could feasibly be strengthened.

But Brereton is certainly one for the future, though speaking after the teenager’s strike at Villa, Brazil hailed him as a player able to perform in the Championship immediately.

“The young lad got a chance and, bless his heart, he took it,” the interim manager said.

“It is lovely that we had a young player coming on to score his first league goal—and he will get a lot of goals for this club.

“I am not worried about the age of the player, I am worried about the quality he will give us. We know what he will give us when he comes on the pitch.

“He was really good at retaining possession, he was playing with his back to goal—he was just bright.

“He has a lot to do, but he wants to learn and he wants to get better.”

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