Liverpool in the mix for Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen
Liverpool are among the clubs interested in Chelsea left back Ian Maatsen, according to one report.
21-year-old Maatsen joined Chelsea's academy from PSV back in 2018 but rose to prominence on loan at Burnley last season, playing a starring role in Vincent Kompany's Championship-winning side.
Burnley even saw a £31.5m bid accepted for the Dutch Under-21 international during the summer transfer window, only for Maatsen to decline the move, preferring to fight for a first-team place at Chelsea under new manager Mauricio Pochettino.
He has featured in eight games for the Blues so far this season – though mostly from the bench and often in an attacking role rather than as a typical full back.
According to TEAMtalk, Maatsen is now 'set to leave' Chelsea in January as Todd Boehly keeps up the high player turnover rate.
The report claims that along with Burnley and Manchester City, Liverpool are interested in Maatsen, with Jurgen Klopp supposedly keen to add more depth at left back.
The Reds do have a strong Dutch contingent at Anfield, with Ryan Gravenberch joining Cody Gakpo and Virgil van Dijk at Anfield this summer.
With first-choice left back option Andy Robertson likely injured until the end of the year at least, it's possible that Liverpool will look to add to their defensive options in the January window. However, Anfield Watch understands that the Reds' priority is finding a left-sided centre back, with the attributes to operate in a back four or three, as part of Klopp's new system that sees Trent Alexander-Arnold push into midfield when in possession.
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Goncalo Inacio (Sporting CP) and Piero Hincapie (Bayer Leverkusen) have been mentioned as possible targets, while Anfield Watch reported over the summer that the club was interested in another Chelsea man, Levi Colwill, before the England international signed a new long-term contract at Stamford Bridge.
Regarding out-and-out left backs, Klopp has publicly maintained he is happy with his options in Robertson's absence, saying: "Thank god it's not only Kostas [Tsimikas] we have like that. Joe Gomez can play the position. Luke Chambers and other young boys."
Tsimikas started Liverpool's Merseyside derby win at the weekend, though was substituted in the second half as part of a tactical change. Chambers, who was linked with Leverkusen during the summer, could be in line for a start in Thursday's clash with Toulouse.