Leeds United have been quiet in the January transfer window so far, as Marcelo Bielsa focuses instead on turning around a run of poor results for his side.
Leeds have lost three successive games without scoring, making Tuesday’s match against Newcastle an important Premier League match for the Whites.
But despite their focus, Leeds, like all clubs, are keeping lines of enquiry open in the mid-season transfer window and Football Insider reports that they are interested in signing Liverpool left-back Yasser Larouci.
The 20-year-old is out of contract at the Reds in June, meaning he is free to negotiate a new deal with another club.
Leeds reportedly made a play for Larouci last summer and have now returned to try and agree a deal with the defending Premier League champions, who are keen to sell this month for a small fee, rather than lose him for free in the summer.
Championship sides Brentford and Norwich City are also keeping tabs on the youngster, who has made two appearances for Liverpool.
So what is Larouci’s story, and why are Leeds being linked with him?
Converted winger
Larouci joined Liverpool from French side Le Havre in November 2017 and immediately went into the club’s under-18 side, who were then managed by Steven Gerrard. He was born in El Oued, Algeria, but also qualifies for France.
The left-footer arrived on Merseyside as an exciting left-winger, who had also spent time playing up front.
But his position was to be changed by circumstances at the club. Gerrard moved on to take charge of Rangers and Barry Lewtas took over the under-18s for the 2018/19 campaign.
Previous left-back Adam Lewis moved up to the under-23s, leaving Lewtas with a gap to plug in his side - and that’s where Larouci came in.
“I remember Barry coming up to me and saying, ‘I want to try you as a left-back for this season’ and I just said, ‘OK’ but thought it would be difficult because I had never played in this position before,” Larouci explained to the club website in April.
“I had to learn the position but when I started to understand the game and what is needed when you play at left-back, I enjoyed it. I think it was a good move from Barry for me and I’m very grateful to him.”
Impressing Klopp
Larouci grew into his new position and was one of the star performers as Liverpool beat Manchester City on penalties to win the FA Youth Cup in 2019.
His performances earned him the opportunity to move up to the first team and he joined Jurgen Klopp’s squad on their pre-season tour of the United States ahead of the 2019/20 season.
Larouci was thrown in at the deep end at the Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana in July 2019, starting at left-back against Borussia Dortmund, who had Jadon Sancho on the right-wing.
Liverpool lost the pre-season friendly 3-2 on a poor pitch, but Larouci grabbed his chance.
“Yasser, our 18-year-old left-back, played against one of the biggest talents in world football and did really well,” Klopp said, as reported by the Echo.
“The pitch helped a little bit, but still he did really well.
“Sancho is obviously an exceptional talent but he isn't the only one in England in that age group. Rhian Brewster is the same age, there are a lot of young talents.”
Room for improvement
Larouci came off the bench for James Milner to make his senior debut against Everton in the third round of the FA Cup at Anfield in January 2020 and his only start for the club came in a 2-2 draw fourth-round draw against Shrewsbury three weeks later.
With Andy Robertson lacking cover after Alberto Moreno’s exit, Larouci potentially had the opportunity to become his understudy.
“Andy Robertson is one of the best left-backs in the world,” he said last January. “I have had the opportunity to watch and train with him at Melwood and I have learned a lot.”
However, that eventuality never became a reality, as Klopp instead opted to sign Greek international Kostas Tsimikas from Olympiakos in August.
With Tsimikas beset by injuries this season, Klopp has instead turned to Neco Williams and Milner to fill in for Robertson.
However, despite not breaking through at Liverpool, Larouci’s talent is undeniable, even if he has room for improvement at left-back.
“Yasser’s natural ability going forward is eye-catching,” Liverpool’s head of academy Alex Inglethorpe said.
“He’s got a lot to work on and will need time to adjust as he’s been playing the position for even less time than Neco [Williams].
“But making that change positionally is certainly a lot easier now than it might have been 10 or 15 years ago.”
