Liverpool are looking to land Fernandes as Man Utd gain a huge goal difference

With Andoni Iraola signed and sealed, Liverpool have turned their focus to poaching one of Manchester United’s back-line players.

Liverpool set to hijack shock Man Utd

The Reds wasted no time in finding a replacement for Arne Slot, welcoming former Bournemouth manager Iraola. The Spaniard comes with a lot of work to do if he is to improve on the standards that fell at Anfield last season, but he has already won fans over in his first Anfield interview.

Speaking to his followers he said: “I think Liverpool gives me the opportunity to train top players, and top players give you the chance to fight for titles. To win titles. It couldn’t be more desirable.

“It is obvious that when you arrive at a place you cannot promise everything, you cannot promise, but it is true that I understand where I am coming from and what is expected, I am ready for the challenge.

“In the beginning when you come to any club, I think you need to prove yourself a bit. You need to earn the right to be a member of the team.”

That will be music to the ears of all Liverpool fans, as will reports of the first manager’s addition.

According to Portugal’s A Bola, via Sport Witness, Liverpool are eyeing a deal for Mateus Fernandes to ditch their pursuit of Man United this summer. The Red Devils have been outbid by West Ham’s £68.3m (€80m) bid and are unwilling to fork over £47m (€55m) to sign the midfielder.

That leaves the door open for Liverpool to move and land what could be much-needed certainty for the Iraola midfielder this summer.

While it remains to be seen whether the Reds will do what United refuse to do, Fernandes is one to watch.

£68m Fernandes would be a huge improvement on Mac Allister

When Slot looks back at what went wrong at Liverpool, he will look at his midfield. The Reds have gone from stagnant and dominating, over-run and over-beaten in the middle of the park in the space of just one season.

The intensity looked unnerving at times, and so did the intensity – leaving many looking back at Jurgen Klopp’s electrifying tactics.

Iraola should help roll back the years, but he needs the staff to do so and that’s where Fernandes can prove to be a great player.

The numbers are worse for Alexis Mac Allister, who could be the man to replace him if Fernandes arrives this summer. The Argentine international, in a tight system, may be left behind.

With Man United shocked by the £20m difference in Fernandes’ prices, Liverpool should take full advantage and move in ahead of next season.

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