MX23RW : Monday, May 13 13:19:01| >> :60:663:663:

Schalke defender Malick Thiaw responds to Liverpool speculation

Liverpool-linked defender Malick Thiaw admits he is flattered by links to the Premier League champions but insists he made the right decision staying at Schalke.

Schalke 04 defender Malick Thiaw has admitted that he is flattered by links to Liverpool but is fully focused on performing in Germany.

Jurgen Klopp is facing a defensive crisis at Anfield with first-choice centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez facing lengthy spells on the sidelines, while Joel Matip has been in the wars as well.

The Reds have since been linked with a number of top centre-backs - namely Kalidou Koulibaly and Dayot Upamecano - to solve their problem, while Thiaw is also believed to be on the radar of the Premier League champions.

However, the 19-year-old affirmed that he is committed to Schalke after signing an extension with the Bundesliga side back in July, telling Schalke TV: "Of course you're happy when big clubs are after you, but it was actually clear to me that I would stay at Schalke."

The centre-back - who is eligible to represent Germany, Senegal or Finland at international level - already has one Bundesliga goal to his name this season and is contracted to Schalke until 2024.

As well as losing Van Dijk and Gomez to potentially season-ending injuries, Liverpool have also seen Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara suffer problems of their own, while Mohamed Salah recently tested positive for coronavirus.

ID:422674: cacheID:422674:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3385:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp pictured on November 8, 2020
Read Next:
Liverpool 'still not planning to buy new centre-back in January'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal37275589286186
2Manchester CityMan City36267391335885
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs361961171591263
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle361761379572257
7Chelsea361691173611257
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd36166145256-454
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham371410135971-1252
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton361212125458-448
11Bournemouth37139155365-1248
12Crystal Palace371210155258-646
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37137175063-1346
14Fulham37128175159-844
15Everton37139153949-1040
16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3789204766-1929
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!