Liverpool are attempting to restructure their squad ahead of their first title defence in 30 years.

The Reds are trying to strengthen Jurgen Klopp’s side after a remarkably impressive season in the top-flight.

They had lost just once before winning the Premier League title, to Watford in a shock result at Vicarage Road.

They have just two games of the season remaining, against Chelsea and Newcastle United. 

And Liverpool are clearly making plans for the summer as they look to refresh a squad that will attempt to retain their title at the first time of asking.

Sport Bild, via Sport Witness, has reported that Werder Bremen ace Milot Rashica was a target, with the club making an enquiry towards the forward.

Rashica has scored 11 goals and registered eight assists in 34 games thus far this season, and is a Kosovo international, with his contract set to expire in 2022.

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However, he has rejected a move to Anfield, because he would rather move to RB Leipzig, maintaining his Bundesliga career, and following in the footsteps of another forward from the German league; Timo Werner did not move to Liverpool despite repeated links, instead joining Chelsea.

Rashica would have cost the Reds a fee of over €20 million (£18.1m), though Bremen are not insisting on receiving the full cost of his release clause, which stands at €38m (£34.4m).

It remains to be seen if Leipzig and Bremen can agree a fee in the meantime; if they can’t, the door may well reopen for Liverpool.

GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…

This is instructive of the kind of player Liverpool are attempting to sign.

Rashica is a multi-functional player who can operate as a left winger, a second striker, and as a centre-forward.

That, of course, fits in with Klopp’s ethos, having allowed Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah to thrive in his system, despite not having a generally fixed position.

Rashica has made a total of 74 appearances for Werder, scoring 24 goals and registering 14 assists, and he would have slotted straight into the squad on Merseyside.

As the season reaches its conclusion, expect more links with players of Rashica’s ilk.