Georginio Wijnaldum could hold the key to Liverpool securing the signature of top target Virgil van Dijk.
The Southampton defender is at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war with the Reds battling Premier League rivals Manchester City and Chelsea for his services.
However, Sport360 understands Jurgen Klopp’s side are leading the chase with the Netherlands international having already spoken to national team-mate and Liverpool midfielder Wijnaldum about the Anfield outfit as well as life on Merseyside.
Netherlands team-maters Virgil van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum
The 25-year-old was reluctant to discuss his future but did describe the Reds as a “beautiful club” and is said to have been impressed with Klopp after meeting with the German boss last month.
Saints are resigned to losing the talented defender but hope to land more than £50 million (Dh237m) for his services.
City were thought to be in pole position with the Daily Mirror claiming they had agreed a deal worth £200,000-a-week.
However, Liverpool are determined to land their man and their attempts to woo him to Anfield could yet pay off.
Van Dijk is currently stepping up his summer rehabilitation as he bids to make a return from an ankle injury which ruled him out for the rest of the season in January.
He has been working with a Southampton coach while training in Dubai and Portugal and said he is progressing well while remaining calm over fervent talk about his future.