Liverpool have established contact with Aston Villa youngster Jaden Philogene, according to reports. The Reds boss is believed to be impressed with what Philogene showed on loan in the Championship last season. The 21-year-old's ability to play on either flank saw him rack up four goals in 37 second-tier appearances for Cardiff City.
According to Anfield Watch, Liverpool have held talks with Philogene's agents during the current window. Klopp is enticed by the Villa star's versatility and seemingly feels that he would be a smart addition to his senior ranks. They are unlikely to have a free run at Philogene, however, as Newcastle United are also reportedly in the mix after holding talks with the player's camp.
Villa are likely to put up a fight when it comes to their bright academy prospect. Manager Unai Emery is evidently as impressed as Klopp with Philogene's spell at Cardiff, having handed the youngster plenty of minutes in pre-season. But Klopp may call in a favour from the West Midlands side after shelving a long-standing interest in Youri Tielemans to leave Villa with a free run earlier this summer.
Philogene is likely to find first-team minutes tricky to come by at Villa Park this season. Bertrand Traore, Philippe Coutinho and Leon Bailey are already vying for minutes out wide, while Jacob Ramsey has often been deployed on the flanks and new signing Moussa Diaby is expected to slot straight into the starting XI. That said, the winger may also have a tough time gaining minutes among Klopp's star-studded crop at Anfield.
