Liverpool sign talented youngster who has just left Premier League rival

Liverpool have signed young defender Oludare Olufunwa following the ending of his contract at Southampton.

The youngster spent 11 years in the Saint’s academy, but it’s unclear whether the defender rejected a new contract on the South coast or if he was released.

Liverpool took advantage of the situation and offered Olufunwa a trial with the U-21’s during their pre-season tour this summer.

And, according to This is Anfield, the 20-year-old impressed, leading the Reds to sign him on a permanent basis.

Whilst he is not likely to play for the first team this season, Olufunwa is expected to feature heavily for the U-21's, with Rhys Williams and Billy Koumetio having both left the club on loan.

The team recently lost 3-0 to Manchester City’s U-21 side and the Reds weren’t able to name a central defender on the bench, such was their lack of depth.

Jürgen Klopp has been known for developing academy talent into the first team.

The young centre-half will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez, who have both become important players for the Reds boss following their development into first-team football.

Some of the most crucial players in Liverpool's history have been signed from Southampton and the Reds will be hoping to have found another gem in Olufunwa.

The recently departed Sadio Mané was signed from the Saints as well as former PFA player of the year winner Virgil Van Dijk.

Between them, the pair have amassed a total of 451 appearances for the club and were both crucial in Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League winning campaigns.

As well as Mané and Van Dijk, the Reds also brought in Dejan Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert from the South coast side, although they were nowhere near as successful as the aforementioned pair.