Liverpool lead chase for in-form Max Beier; Xabi Alonso is a big fan

Liverpool reportedly lead the chase for Max Beier. The forward is in fantastic form right now - and Xabi Alonso is a fan.

SportBILD, per Sport Witness, claim Liverpool are one of four Premier League clubs looking closely at Max Beier. The Hoffenheim forward is in fantastic form right now, drawing interest from both within and outside of Germany.

And Liverpool seem to have the best chance of landing him right now. He's a player who has been linked with the Reds before - for quite some time, in fact - and that interest has only grown this season.

Beier has 12 goals in the Bundesliga this season and he recent form has been fantastic. Four goals in his last three, with all of them coming via two braces in back-to-back games.

Importantly, those were vital goals - Hoffenheim won both games by a single goal, meaning Beier's efforts earned them three six points. It suggests he might be recapturing the kind of form that saw him open the season with six goals in eight games.

Another interesting tidbit is that Xabi Alonso is apparently a big fan. The Spaniard is currently at Bayer Leverkusen, of course, but is strongly linked with the job at Anfield this summer.

That's a connection that may just see a push for the 21-year-old later this year.

Liverpool like Max Beier

As always, the question is whether Liverpool actually need Beier. They have five elite forwards at the club right now and a few youngsters who have earned more game time.

Beier would apparently cost around £30m to sign this summer, too. It's a large chunk of cash for a player Liverpool don't necessarily have room for.

Still, his efforts this season suggest Beier isn't a player you'd want to miss out on if the chance is there. Especially if your newly-hired manager is also a big fan.

So even if Liverpool don't have space right now, the race for Beier is undoubtedly one for fans to pay attention to.