Liverpool news LIVE updates: Follow below for the latest

Saturday 16 December

Messi delivers Coutinho boost

11:16: Lionel Messi doesn’t want Philippe Coutinho to join Barcelona.

Instead, the Argentina international is keen for compatriot Javier Pastore to come to the Nou Camp instead.

That is according to Spanish outlet Don Balon, who claim Messi is worried at the lack of game time Pastore is getting at PSG.

Messi wants to win the World Cup next summer and having a firing Pastore in the side would greatly boost Argentina’s chances.

And the Barca captain wants his club to save the midfielder from a season of obscurity in Paris - which is a major boost for Liverpool’s hopes of retaining Coutinho.

Zidane on Salah

09.45: Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane admits he's a fan of Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah.

The Egypt winger has been on fire since joining Liverpool this summer.

He has been linked with Real Madrid and Zidane said: “Salah is a great player. He showed that at Roma, now at Liverpool.

“He’s still young and is improving all the time. I don’t talk much about other players, but he is a player I rate a lot.”

Lemar battle

09.30: Chelsea and Liverpool appear to lead Arsenal in the race to sign Thomas Lemar.

Lemar was forced to stay at Monaco in the summer but could be allowed to leave in January.

Chelsea want to swap Michy Batshauyi for him but reports in Spain claim Liverpool have been given the green light to bring him to Anfield.

Grujic loan

09.15: Brighton and Aston Villa are trying to sign Marko Grujic on loan next month.

The midfielder has barely had a look in at Anfield and could move on for first team experience.

The Liverpool Echo report the Reds want him to stay in England to help his development.