Bruno Guimaraes comments on Liverpool resurface amid Reds transfer links

Liverpool are reportedly interested in launching a summer move for Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes - and his past comments on the club have resurfaced.

The Brazilian joined Newcastle in January 2022 from Lyon for a fee of £40 million, and quickly established himself as one of the top midfielders in the Premier League.

His performances over the past 18 months have been key in helping the Magpies to third place in the league this season, with Eddie Howe's side looking likely to qualify for the Champions League.

According to The Athletic, Liverpool's recruitment staff rate Guimaraes highly and are interested in bringing the 25-year-old to Anfield this summer, but that Newcastle successfully qualifying for Europe's top club competition would make a deal exceptionally difficult to achieve.

However, speaking after Newcastle lost 1-0 to the Reds at St James' Park in April 2022, Guimaraes did express his admiration for Jurgen Klopp's side.

Guimaraes' past Liverpool comments resurface

The Brazil international said (quotes via Liverpool Echo): "It was a difficult game. We know Liverpool are on another level, but we tried our best. In my opinion, we expected a lot more. We did not play well with the ball, it was difficult.

"What I can say to you was that Liverpool were another level. We have to work to get to that level.

"We have to work more and try to play with more of the ball. We have to try to work with the space and get in behind, we didn't do it. We did not deserve the win today."

While Newcastle lost that particular game, it did not take too much away from what was an impressive recovery in the second half of the season under Howe.

At the beginning of February, the Magpies were still in the relegation zone after a disappointing start to the campaign under Steve Bruce. But they went on to finish the season in 11th, 14 points clear of the bottom three.

Newcastle have gone from strength to strength this season, with Howe's coaching, coupled with key signings such as Alexander Isak and Sven Botman, getting the best out of his squad.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have been unable to recapture their dominant form of recent seasons, and only a six-game ongoing winning run has kept them in with a chance of qualification for the Champions League.

And while Guimaraes claimed the Reds were on a 'different level' to Newcastle last year, he may well have changed his mind now.