There’s some rumours that just make us shudder, and this is one of them.
While we quite enjoy the links to Mario Gotze and Javier Pastore, the fact the Independent state we’re after Southampton’s impact sub Shane Long worries us.
They claim that Jurgen Klopp likes the forward’s running and energy, and will battle champions Leicester City for his signature this summer.
The 29-year-old, who will start for Ireland at the Euros this summer, notched ten league goals for the Saints this season just gone – the only time he’s reached double figures. The report suggests both Liverpool and Leicester like his work off the ball as much as his goals, but while Claudio Ranieri’s men clearly need enforcements with very little backing up Jamie Vardy – Liverpool have Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi – with Danny Ings coming back from injury to provide legs and work-rate.
We signed Steven Caulker on loan in January, and a move for Long would be similarly deflating. We need to be signing young, talented players or proven first-team ones. The link to Long, however committed a professional he is, makes no sense.