According to one European journalist, Liverpool are ‘very hot’ on the trail of a striker who’s enjoyed a terrific start to the season.

Sacha Tavolieri took to X (formerly Twitter) during RB Leipzig’s Champions League clash against Manchester City to heap praise on Lois Openda, who netted twice in the first half, while also citing the presence of Premier League interest in the 23-year-old.

The reporter stated: “What an amazing performance of Loïs Openda during this first half. Belgian striker’s adapting perfectly with the type of play that fits with #RBLeipzig…

“The transfer market in Premier League already very hot on him, as #LFC. Wonderful talent.”

What an amazing performance of Loïs Openda during this first half. Belgian striker’s adapting perfectly with the type of play that fits with #RBLeipzig…
The transfer market in Premier League already very hot on him, as #LFC.
🪄 Wonderful talent. #mercato #PL #MCIRBL pic.twitter.com/mXcGwHu05P

— Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) November 28, 2023

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Last night’s brace for Openda took him to 13 goals in all competitions for the season, one more than Mo Salah’s current tally, albeit from two more matches (Transfermarkt).

The Belgium international shot to European prominence last term when netting 21 times in firing Lens back into the Champions League for the first time in two decades, and he needs just one more goal to reach double figures in a league campaign for the fourth year in a row (Transfermarkt).

His goalscoring clout is undeniable, but whether he’d end up at Liverpool in 2024 is far less certain. The 23-year-old has changed clubs in the last two summers, so he might now be seeking to settle down at Leipzig for another couple of years at least.

Also, a centre-forward is unlikely to be top of the Reds’ priority list when it comes to the next transfer window. The focus is instead set to be trained on a defensive midfielder and a versatile left-footed defender, with Jurgen Klopp already having an abundance of riches in attack.

The manner in which Openda twice cut through Man City to score last night suggests that he’d take to the Premier League like a duck to water, but realistically it’s difficult to see a move to Anfield materialising any time soon unless circumstances alter significantly.

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Liverpool are considered likely to go back to the market once the window opens in January, though it’s highly improbable that their gaze turns to Lois Openda at that time.

Christian Falk shared that the RB Leipzig sensation will undoubtedly attract interest from English clubs ‘like Liverpool’ in future, though it’s difficult to imagine any outfit biting until the Belgian’s £69.1m-plus release clause kicks in.

If he can build on his superb performances in Germany this season – not to mention a superb goal registered against Manchester City in the Champions League – it’s only a matter of time before the offers surely start pouring in from all directions.

“Leipzig are a little relaxed at the moment, as next summer there’s no active release clause for Lois Openda,” the BILD journalist wrote in his column for CaughtOffside.

“It begins in 2025 and I heard it’s a bit higher than the €80m that has been reported elsewhere. I’m sure that clubs like Liverpool will be keeping an eye on him.

“You’ve already seen with Dominik Szoboszlai that they’ve had a mostly positive experience with RB Leipzig players. It’s also worth noting the similarity in style between the two clubs, which is obviously of benefit to Liverpool.

“Openda did a really good job in the match against Bayern Munich, he scored there, so you see what level he’s capable of playing at. He also scored an impressive effort against Manchester City in the Champions League.

“But Leipzig will try to get him to stay put beyond the next summer, though the summer after that they have no chance if someone comes knocking at the door with the right amount of money. English clubs are of course one of the groups that can afford it.”

Openda has already amassed a more than respectable seven goal contributions in 11 games for Die Rotten Bullen this term.

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There’s an argument for the club to be considering long-term options in the right-wing role given the lack of clarity over the length of time Mo Salah is due to spend at Anfield beyond the current campaign.

Whilst we’re sure decision-makers at L4 will be aware of the Leipzig star’s potential, he’s not exactly a suitable fit for that particular position.

With the likes of Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota available straight down the middle too, it’s not like we’re in desperate need of reinforcements in that particular regard.

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