Reliable journalist dismisses Liverpool interest in defender Maxence Lacroix

Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg has dismissed rumours linking Wolfsburg defender Maxence Lacroix with a move to Liverpool this January.

The French centre-back has impressed for Wolfsburg since his arrival at the club in 2020 and the 23-year-old was linked with a move to Anfield in January following the news of Joel Matip's season-ending ACL injury.

The Mirror's John Cross was the first to report the Reds' interest in Lacroix following Matip's injury against Fulham a little over a week ago, with a fee of over £25m touted for the defender.

Lacroix, who has been compared to Rio Ferdinand in his play style, has caught the eye during his time in the German top flight, playing his part in a stubborn Wolfsburg defence last season.

While he has been less impressive this term, he remains a promising young defender, renowned for his pace and physicality.

However, according to the reliable Plettenberg, Liverpool won't be pursuing a deal for Lacroix in the January transfer window.

The journalist took to X, writing: "Contrary to conflicting reports, Maxence Lacroix is not a transfer target for FC Liverpool in winter."

Jurgen Klopp has also distanced Liverpool from recruiting defensive reinforcements during the winter window, even suggesting that Matip could be handed a new deal at Anfield.

The Liverpool boss said: "I’m pretty sure the club will show their class, as you should do it. I’m pretty sure the club told Joel already that, whatever happens, as long as he is injured everything is fine.

"Now we have to make the decision with Joel how it looks after that. That’s a normal thing to do but he deserves all the support from us and he will get it.

"I would say so [there's a chance of a new deal], but it’s not my decision in the end. I cannot sign the papers."

The emergence of the impressive Jarell Quansah, who started against Crystal Palace on Saturday, means that Klopp still has four senior centre-back options at his disposal despite Matip's injury.

Regardless of Matip's future, it appears Lacroix will not be a Liverpool player come the end of Janaury.