Liverpool are preparing a late £45 million bid for Porto striker Luis Diaz, who is also being pursued by Tottenham.

The Colombian winger was Jurgen Klopp’s first option for the summer transfer window, but due to Spurs’ significant interest, Liverpool have hastened their preparations.

Liverpool is thought to be proposing an initial £37 million, plus bonuses, which will only be activated if Diaz is a major success at Anfield.

Tottenham has been in discussions with Porto over Diaz, reportedly willing to spend up to £46 million for the player.

Spurs are reportedly willing to pay £37.6 million upfront for Diaz, with an extra £8.4 million in performance-related add-ons, according to reports in Portugal.

Spurs have already appeared to miss out on Wolves attacker Adama Traore, who appears poised to return to Barca on loan, and missing out on Luiz would be another major blow this month.

It is unclear whether Diaz will move to Anfield this month or wait till the end of the season. In 18 outings for his current club this season, he has managed to score 14 goals.

Sky Sports reporter Vinny O’Connor:

“Obviously, it’s far from done and could easily come to nothing.

“However, Liverpool view this as an excellent deal if it gets completed – very much close to a Diogo Jota-type fee. Also, it is far better value than the original €60m asking price.

“Diaz was Jurgen Klopp’s first choice for the summer, but they have brought those plans forward because it was clear if Liverpool didn’t act this window, the player would move on.

“This isn’t done and could yet collapse – the player is in Argentina with his national team, so it will be far from straightforward to complete the deal.

“However, if it does get done, it’s a big coup for Julian Ward, who is to succeed sporting director Michael Edwards in the summer. It was a deal in which Ward lead for the first time, but it is fair to say he’s been supported strongly by Edwards who put together the strategy to secure the player this month.”

Jurgen Klopp provided a team update during his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool’s encounter against Brentford.

Klopp claims the Reds had picked up a few knocks following their clash against Arsenal on Thursday night. The boss, on the other hand, maintains that the medical team has informed him that all of the players involved should be able to play against the Bees.

With star players away at the African Cup of Nations, the Reds need to make sure they don’t have any more selection concerns, and happily, despite a few knocks, they appear to have gotten through a physically demanding match against the Gunners relatively unharmed.

“As far as I know there are no real injuries. We got knocks last night, Robbo got a knock, Virg got a knock, Millie got a knock, but directly after the game, the medical department told me they would all be fine, but we will see. There are no ‘injuries’ so far, so it should be the same squad available like for the game against Arsenal,” Jurgen Klopp said.

Following the postponement of their Carabao Cup match, the Reds’ fixture slate has become extremely crowded, so fitness and injuries will have been a major concern.

Fortunately, it appears that Liverpool will be able to field a relatively strong XI against Brentford this Saturday, and while Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, and Naby Keita will all be absent, this update has given Liverpool the best possible opportunity of beating Brentford this weekend.

Neco Williams wishes to leave the club this month, and the club is willing to let him go.

Williams, according to Sky Sports, is concerned about his lack of game time as the World Cup play-offs approach.

Williams does not want his lack of regular game time at Liverpool to force him to fall out of contention for a place in the Wales national squad.

Williams appears to have no chance of breaking into Liverpool’s starting lineup, with Alexander-Arnold always in form.

The Reds are ‘sympathetic’ to Williams’ situation and will allow him to leave if the right offer is made in.

Williams, who was dubbed ‘excellent’ by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain earlier this season, could leave on loan or permanently, with Liverpool reportedly open to either option.

Because of Conor Bradley’s progress at Liverpool, the Reds aren’t entirely opposed to losing Williams and elevating the Northern Irishman.

Both Leeds United and Aston Villa were interested in signing Williams this summer and could be viable options this month.

Leeds are in need of defensive reinforcements, and Williams might be the right back of the future.

Although Villa have Matty Cash at right back, Williams can provide strong opposition for Liverpool veteran Steven Gerrard.