Liverpool still pursuing Chelsea star despite Pochettino plans

Stuart Telford

• 6 Jul 2023 11:36 BST
• 3 min read

Liverpool want to test Chelsea's resolve when it comes to keeping Levi Colwill at the club, according to reports.

Liverpool are in the market for a central defender to provide competition for Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate and Anfield, and Colwill has emerged as a bona fide star in the position.

The England under-21 defender impressed on loan at Brighton last season, helping the Seagulls into Europe with his assured performances at the heart of Roberto De Zerbi's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.

READ: Chelsea star set for CRUCIAL Pochettino meeting amid uncertain future

Jurgen Klopp and Co. are known to have scouted the Chelsea academy graduate last season, and they are reportedly ready to make a move this summer.

Liverpool lurking for Levi

"Chelsea want to tie Colwill down to a new long-term contract," reports Football London's Chelsea writer, Bobby Vincent. "[But] there is still some lingering doubt [about his first-team opportunities] that will only be put to bed after having a discussion with [Mauricio] Pochettino.

"Liverpool are aware of this and have enquired multiple times about the availability of the England U21 international, including in the last few days."

READ: Jurgen Klopp in love with Chelsea wonderkid

Brighton have already seen a £30 million bid to make Colwill's move to the Amex permanent rejected by Chelsea, and they have since shifted their focus to Ajax's former Rangers man Calvin Bassey.

Colwill is currently valued at just €14.5m by FootballTransfers' in-house algoriuthm, but according to our official partner SciSports, who has a greater SciSkill potential than any other Chelsea centre-back with a score of 123.4.

Benoit Badiashile - a fellow left-footed centre-back - has a SciSkill of 122.1, which is still impressive, but behind Colwill's.

Chelsea paid Monaco €38m for the Frenchman's services in January, which suggests he could remain ahead of Colwill in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

Colwill's averages of three aerial duels won and five progressive passes per 90 minutes last season suggest he deserves a shot at first-team football, though, be it at Chelsea or Liverpool.