Just weeks after smashing Jurgen Klopp's farewell tour, Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners could be Liverpool's first signing of the Arne Slot era.
The Anfield boss was eyeing a stunning quadruple before Atalanta knocked the Reds out of the Europa League.
Klopp's dreams of finishing with the European title were dashed when the Serie A side unexpectedly defeated Liverpool at home thanks to the role of Koopmeiners.
Liverpool and Juventus are reportedly interested in the Netherlands international, according to Tuttomercatoweb.
But after naming the capture of Koopmeiners as one of their “main objectives” before the summer, the Reds could have a good chance.
The midfielder made 58 appearances for AZ under Slot, and was named captain before his departure midway through the 2020-21 season.
Koopmeiners became a key member of the team during that time, scoring 21 goals before leaving for Serie A side Atalanta at the end of that season.
Liverpool are looking for a new midfielder in the summer
The report goes on to say that Koopmeiners is valued by Atalanta, who signed the midfielder from AZ Alkmaar back in 2021, for around €60m (£51.3m).
Under Klopp, Liverpool overhauled their midfield last summer, adding the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, but they are still rumored to be adding more midfielders.
The Italian side's 3-1 aggregate victory over both legs in their Europa League quarter-final exit provided the Reds with a stark reminder of his abilities.
Liverpool know the quality of Koopmeiners
One month after announcing his intention to leave the club in the summer, Koopmeiners, 26, has stepped up in his place behind the front two.
Major changes are expected at Liverpool this summer as Klopp's departure will mark the end of an era for the Merseyside club.
In a season that looked like a good exit for Klopp as Liverpool looked for the quadruple, they may now end the season with only the Carabao Cup.
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