One of the more obscure names that Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have been keeping an eye on is Riza Durmisi. The 23-year-old Danish star has been rising up the ranks at Real Betis and it has been claimed that the Reds have kept a tab on the left back’s progress this season.
Durmisi has only joined Betis this season from Brondby but hasn’t found the difference in La Liga all that much as he has become a regular for Betis and has played in 20 games in the Spanish league.
The 23-year-old is versatile enough to play as a midfielder also but it is his defensive abilities that help him stand out as a left-back.
Speaking to the Betis’ official website about Liverpool’s interest in him, Durmisi had this to say:
“It means I’m playing well, but it isn’t something I’m interested in.
“What interests me is when the team plays well and wins. That’s what I like.
“But when Liverpool and other big clubs show interest, of course it’s good, but the main thing for me is Betis.”
This is a pretty standard answer for a player who doesn’t want to antagonize the home support but also not shut the door on a transfer away. Durmisi might not be the biggest name in the world and while Liverpool have not been linked with him for a while, he could turn out to be a shrewd signing by Jurgen Klopp.
Reports claim that Durmisi has a buy-out clause of £17 million and given his age, that wouldn’t be a problem for Liverpool to pay. The big question would be regarding Durmisi’s ability to star in the Premier League from the first day of next season.
Liverpool need someone who is a set player in the league and not someone who needs time to adapt. Additionally, they have been linked with more settled players such as Sead Kolasinac from Schalke and Jonas Hector from Koln, whom certainly are better known to Klopp and his team.
The Reds would not want to continue playing with James Milner as the first choice left-back next season and they will have to ramp up the scouting if they are to get the right player.
