Laliga giant Real Madrid make £44m Liverpool star top target to replace Mendy as Klopp pulls out of £70m race

Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson in the summer transfer window amid Ferland Mendy’s departure.

Robertson has once again been one of the Reds’ most consistent performers this season, although Jurgen Klopp’s men have underperformed in the Premier League by their standards.

He remains one of their key players but the Spanish press claim that Real Madrid are planning a summer move for the Scotland international.

The 29-year-old won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League and more in his six seasons at Anfield, with Robertson making 267 appearances in all competitions.

But Spanish publication Defensa Central (via Fichajes) says Robertson could move forward into the summer with Real Madrid “considering signing ‘the Scotsman’ to replace Ferland Mendy.”

Mendy is one of “several insecurities in the squad” with injuries, meaning Los Blancos will now “consider selling him if they get a good offer” for his services.

They claim that the Liverpool defender has been on Real Madrid’s ‘agenda for several years and his profile fits the tastes of the club’ and Robertson would be ‘willing to leave the club’ if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, which is looking extremely likely.

Robertson would cost around €45-50m (£39m-44m) which is ‘similar to what Real Madrid expects to receive for a possible sale of Mendy’ but the report adds that Liverpool will not let him ‘go easily’.

In more Liverpool transfer news, Nacional claim that Liverpool ‘were prepared to invest’ €80m (£70m) in Barcelona forward Ansu Fati in the summer transfer window.

However, despite Klopp initially making an ‘express request’ to the Reds board to sign him, Liverpool have now ‘completely forgotten’ about the 20-year-old and the Barcelona starlet has ‘disappeared from the agenda’.

Despite Liverpool potentially looking to add to their attack in the summer, Fati is ‘not among the options’ the Reds hierarchy are discussing with Fati even out of Barcelona plans.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta ‘wants to transfer Fati and try to obtain significant financial compensation, but there are no firm offers’ with their best bet still an offer from the Premier League.

Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United have also been linked with a move for the Spain international but Wolves are the only club ‘willing to host him’.

Also..

Liverpool FC sends a letter to the chiefs of the referees requesting clarity on the decisions that were made against them in the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.

Liverpool write to the referees in chief seeking clarification on the decisions taken against them in the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa – including Tyrone Mings’ chest-high attack that avoided a red and Virgil’s assist van Dijk for offside.

Liverpool have written to PGMOL asking for clarification after being frustrated with two decisions against Aston Villa which they say were costly.

There have been a number of incidents involving match officials at Liverpool matches in recent weeks and irritation at Anfield grew on Saturday after incidents broke out on both sides at half-time which left them puzzled.

Tyrone Mings was booked by referee John Brooks for a chest-high foul on Cody Gakpo that left the Dutch international writhing in pain; His shirt was torn in the crash and he had spike marks on his chest.

The episode was reviewed for a possible red card by VAR Tony Harrington, but Brooks’ decision was not changed even though Gakpo required longer treatment. Many saw that Mings could easily be found guilty of reckless or dangerous play. After the break, Gakpo thought he had equalized before The Kop, but Harrington conceded the equalizer after assuming Virgil van Dijk, who provided the ‘assist’, was in an offside position when the ball fell on him Ezri Konsa.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpoolers have been left frustrated by the decisions made against them

Stunned by it all, Van Dijk said: “I didn’t understand what was going on.”

“I asked (the fourth referee) Michael Oliver in the side and apparently it was about whether the Villa player sent the ball back on purpose and I have no idea if he did, Yes or no.”

‘I have no idea. I think it would be nice if next season we could hear what they and everyone around us are discussing and be transparent. “To make you explain, coming here, that’s what happened in Holland, why not here?”

Liverpool have been feeling increasingly distressed over a number of issues lately and are now seeking clarification from PGMOL boss Howard Webb on how Harrington’s decisions against Villa came about.

Liverpool write to chief referees about decisions against them against Aston Villa.

. Liverpool write to the referees asking for clarification on the decisions that went against them in the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, including Tyrone Mings’ chest-high challenge to avoid a red light and offside assist by Virgil van Dijk.

Liverpool have written to PGMOL asking for clarification after being frustrated by two decisions they believe are costly against Aston Villa.

There have been a series of incidents with match officials during Liverpool matches in recent weeks and the anger against Anfield intensified on Saturday after incidents either side of half-time left them perplexed.

Tyrone Mings was booked by referee John Brooks for a chest-high challenge on Cody Gakpo that left the Dutch international in pain; his shirt was ripped in the impact and had stud marks across his torso. The incident was reviewed by VAR Tony Harrington for a possible red card, but Brooks’ decision was not changed, even though Gakpo required lengthy treatment. Many saw that Mings could easily have been found guilty of reckless or dangerous play.

After the break, Gakpo thought he had scored an equalizer for The Kop, but it was scored by Harrington after Virgil van Dijk, who provided the ‘assist’, was believed to be in an offside position when the ball reached him . Ezri Konsa.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have grown frustrated with the decisions that went against them.

Van Dijk was amazed by it all and said: “I didn’t understand what was going on.

“I asked (fourth official) Michael Oliver to leave and apparently it was a question of whether the Villa player deliberately walked back and I have no idea whether he did, yes or no.

‘I have no idea. I think it would be nice if next season we could hear what they are discussing, everyone around, and be transparent.

“To make you explain, coming here, that’s what happened in Holland, why not here?”

Feeling increasingly distressed over a number of issues lately, Liverpool are now seeking clarification from PGMOL boss Howard Webb on how decisions against Villa were made over Harringt