Liverpool urged to beat Man Utd in race for 'future England starter'

Robin Bairner

• 25 Oct 2023 06:35 BST
• 3 min read

Liverpool have been told that they must move for Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite in order to prevent Manchester United signing him by club legend John Aldridge.

Having spent last season on loan at PSV, 21-year-old Branthwaite has returned to the Toffees this summer and impressed for Sean Dyche’s side.

Aldridge felt that his performance in the Merseyside derby between the clubs at the weekend was particularly impressive, despite the Reds running out 2-0 winners in controversial circumstances.

Branthwaite impresses at Anfield

Branthwaite was a rock in the Everton defence and the former Ireland striker believes that such a performance should be seen as a successful audition to move to one of the Premier League’s biggest clubs – and he hopes it is Jurgen Klopp’s men.

“Salah may have been the headline-grabber, but it was Jarrad Branthwaite who stood out the most at Anfield. I think he is a really good player,” he wrote.

“I don’t want to upset any Evertonians by saying this, and whether Liverpool would buy from Everton is another matter as it rarely happens, but I certainly think he has got the ability to go on and become a leading figure and a starter for England.

“The fact Jurgen Klopp even talked him up before the game in his pre-match press conference was interesting. He is likely to be on the radar of other teams as well, Manchester United have already been mentioned as a possible destination, but it’s up to Everton over what they do with him.

“A left-sided centre-back is something we were in the market for during the summer transfer window, which we didn't end up signing in the end. If we were to make a move for Branthwaite, he would probably cost a significant amount due to the English premium that we so often see in the game.”

Branthwaite has featured in Everton’s last seven Premier League matches, during which they have seen an improvement in form after conceding five times in their opening two games of the campaign.