Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has previously claimed he would struggle to leave Marcus Rashford out of his side if he was his player, amid suggestions that the forward could leave Manchester United.
The England international's future at Old Trafford is up in the air with reports he is considering leaving his boyhood club. Rashford has been on the fringes of Ralf Rangnick's side due to his poor form and the forward is unhappy with his playing time as the interim boss told him he is free to leave this summer.
The Manchester Evening News claims that Barcelona have wasted little time touching base with Rashford's camp as they register an interest in the 24-year-old, with a source claiming that "the phone hasn't stopped ringing" over a potential summer switch.
The report even states that Klopp's Liverpool have also made it known they are admirers of Rashford.
Despite the rivalry with United making a transfer almost impossible, it perhaps shouldn't come as a surprise that the Anfield club have been alerted to his availability as he's a player that Klopp has waxed lyrical about in the past.
The Liverpool boss was full of praise for Rashford ahead of his side's clash with Man United back in December as he hailed the new generation of English talent.
"It's a really good mix, the offensive potential they have," said Klopp. "I don't know if you still consider - I don't know exactly, how old is Marcus Rashford? 21, 22, 23? He looks quite young, meanwhile, he is very experienced.
"(Mason) Greenwood, (Phil) Foden, (Mason) Mount, (Raheem) Sterling - Sterling's not that young anymore - (Jadon) Sancho. Wow, what a generation. You think, who would you want to leave out?
Where will Marcus Rashford end up? Comment below
Klopp has also spoken highly of Rashford off the pitch for his campaign for free school meals and for fighting child food poverty in the UK which saw him awarded an MBE. The German was able to put his rivalry aside with United calling the striker a "giant in this nation."
"Marcus Rashford stands as a giant in this nation for his courageous and relentless work on child food poverty,” Klopp said. Football gave him his platform and he has used it to fight an injustice that was being too easily ignored."
“I am not sure I can find any better words than much smarter people have said. But what Marcus has started there is absolutely incredible, it is so nice. And with all the rivalry between the clubs, in these moments we are as footballers and as human beings always united.
“It’s just nice to show in a time when obviously a lot of people who are really in charge of something don’t show any sign of proper leadership. He is a boy grown up in difficult circumstances and blessed with sensational talent, obviously. But he never forgot his roots and where he is coming from. It’s just a shame that he has to do it.
“It is a bit of a shame but it is wonderful as well. I hope his mother is really proud of him. I don’t know him but even I am proud of him. And he plays for United which makes it really tricky! I’ve heard about Liverpool and Manchester United (rivalry) years and years ago.
“But yes that just shows that football can be really wondrous in moments. It shows that the subject is really really serious and that is why everybody puts the rivalry aside and thinks about the more important things in life.
“So I am really happy that Liverpool can show this solidarity in these moments. Now he is a role model for that and it is truly great. It won’t distract him from his football things."
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