Cheick Doucoure has already passed his Liverpool transfer audition as Jurgen Klopp steps up pursuit

Cheick Doucoure has already passed his Liverpool transfer audition amid the Reds having reportedly stepped up their approach for the player.

According to the Independent, Liverpool are “stepping up” their efforts to sign Doucoure, having missed out on their primary targets.

Jurgen Klopp has been eager to sign a No.6 after the departure of both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to the Saudi Pro League, yet the club have missed out on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, with both having opted to join Chelsea.

In a search of alternative options, Doucoure will reportedly be a cheaper alternative to the club’s previous targets.

According to the outlet the Mali international’s price could come in at £60million, though Palace are wary of losing too many players this summer. The south London club have already lost Wilfried Zaha on a free transfer, while Michael Olise is reportedly on the cusp of joining Chelsea.

Doucoure is said to be keen to move to Anfield, with personal terms unlikely to be an issue.

Indeed, the 23-year-old, who was voted the Palace fans’ Player of the Year last term, starred in the Eagles’ midfield when the club took on Liverpool at Anfield last season.

In one of his first games in English football, Doucoure was a central component of the Palace side that claimed a 1-1 draw against Jurgen Klopp’s men at Anfield, as can be seen in the compilation below.

The Independent added that Liverpool have also identified Fulham’s Joao Paulinha and Nice’s Khephren Thuram as targets but Doucoure is seen as a more viable option at present.

Klopp stressed the need for Liverpool to revamp their squad in the coming weeks.

The German said: “We don’t have to always say ‘Milner would have said that and Henderson would have said that and Firmino would have smiled here.’ We should not do it like that. That makes no sense.

“We have this kind of new start with this Liverpool reloaded, it’s an exciting thing. Everybody was asking for changes, rightly so, because we were together for a long time.

“It’s a new chance for everybody, everybody has to step up. We all share responsibility and it’s not that we should give ourselves too much time to grow into it, let’s do it.

“Let’s take the responsibility and go from there and don’t try to be like somebody. Be the best version of yourself and then you have a good chance to help the team in the best possible way.”

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Football, Transfers, Liverpool, Crystal Palace

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.