Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Liverpool told bidding starts at £67m for Serie A star wanted by Klopp

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic TEAMtalk

Lazio have reportedly told Liverpool that the bidding for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic starts at £67million, with the Serie A midfielder being continually linked with a switch to England.

The Serbia star was transformed into one of the best midfielders in Europe working under Simone Inzaghi at the Stadio Olimpico. He showed his old boss all his qualities as Lazio took on Inzhagi’s new side Inter Milan on Saturday.

Milinkovic-Savic put in a dominant display as Lazio beat the reigning champions 3-1. He also powered home the third with a header past Samir Handanovic.

The 26-year-old was labelled as ‘better than Paul Pogba’ early in his career and has gone from strength to strength since.

Indeed, back in 2018, sporting director Igli Tare said it would take “much more” than £80million for Lazio to even consider selling the player.

Calciomercato claims that Liverpool enquired about Milinkovic-Savic’s availability over the summer. However, they were informed that any bids would have to start at £67m.

The towering midfielder’s price could rise even further, if he extends his contract until 2025. That is something that is firmly on the cards, given the player’s comments back in July.

He said: “I feel like a leader now. It is my sixth year here and I hope to stay for many more years.

Liverpool to prioritise Jeremy Doku over Leeds' Raphinha

Liverpool to prioritise Jeremy Doku over Leeds' Raphinha

With Jurgen Klopp looking to bolster his attack, a move for Doku looks more likely than Raphinha

“I see the young players here and think about when I was in their place. I try to help them the same way the old guard helped me.”

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is known to be a big admirer of Milinkovic-Savic and is actively looking at freshening up his midfield options.

Both Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have been tipped to move on, either in January or next summer.


Liverpool underline Premier League title credentials – and Salah is on a mission


Van Dijk takes heat off Salah

Meanwhile, Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk wants more people to highlight Sadio Mane’s return to form, amid the spotlight on Mohamed Salah.

Salah has long proved his credentials for the Reds, but he is now in the say to be the best player in the world. Indeed, manager Jurgen Klopp claimed that no-one comes close to the Egyptian right now.

However, Mane is also enjoying fine form and has netted six goals in 10 games this season.

Last term, he admitted that he went through his worst campaign in recent memory. But this season, he looks somewhere back to his best.

Virgil Van Dijk Sadio Mane Liverpool October 2021

Like Salah, Mane’s form has been largely consistent and he struck his 100th Premier League goal on Saturday against Watford.

According to Van Dijk, the Senegal international deserves more of the spotlight amid the talk over Salah.

“We know what he’s [Salah] capable of and I think he’s been showing it for a longer period of time,” the defender told a press conference (via the Liverpool Echo).

“It’s not that everyone’s talking about it and everyone’s talking about each other.

“In my opinion, the numbers speak for themselves. He’s a fantastic player and if you look at our team, we have such a great team.

“Sadio scored his 100th Premier League goal, we should talk about that a little bit more. It’s not something that’s normal, Bobby [Roberto Firmino] coming in after such a long time, difficult time and scoring a hat-trick.

“We have a fantastic squad, a good group of players, boys that want to give everything for each other. To see them all shine, it satisfies us, but we all have our job to.”

READ MORE: Red-hot Liverpool strike target has transfer agreement in principle with new club