EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool hold talks with Aston Villa’s Jaden Philogene

Aston Villa’s Jaden Philogene is liked by Liverpool and talks have been held between the club and the youngster’s agents, Anfield Watch can reveal.

The 21-year-old, who is a product of the Aston Villa academy and has represented England at youth level, is liked by Jurgen Klopp and the Liverpool recruitment team – but the Reds may have contest by the way of Newcastle, who have also had communication with the player’s side.

Pholigene is a winger who has made five appearances with Villa in total, while he has also enjoyed loan spells with Stoke City, during the 2021/22 season, and Cardiff City last term.

It would not be easy to sign Pholigene, who has impressed Unai Emery during pre-season. He has started all three of the club's friendlies, as well as scoring in the side’s game against Fulham in Orlando.

Pholigene can play on either wing, and it’s this versatility that has attracted Klopp.

With Mohamed Salah now 31 years old, there is a need to find suitable successors for the Reds legend.

READ MORE: Liverpool academy stars who could break through in 2023/24

Liverpool have brought in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai for a combined £95m ahead of the new season, with both players considered first-team starters, while more midfield recruits are expected this window.

However, the Reds also have been scanning the market for young players who can develop and grow under Klopp.

It comes after the German boss urged Fifa to look into Saudi Arabia’s transfer window, with the Pro League’s business not set to close until nearly three weeks after Europe’s.

“The influence of Saudi Arabia is massive at the moment,” Klopp said in Singapore at a press conference before Liverpool faced Bayern Munich in a friendly.

“Pretty much the worst thing is that the transfer window in Saudi Arabia is open three weeks longer. If I am right, I heard something like that, then at least in Europe that’s not helpful.“Uefa or Fifa must find solutions for that. It’s already influential for us but we will have to learn to deal with it.”