Gary Lineker names Premier League player he 'understands' Liverpool are trying to sign

Gary Lineker understands that Liverpool are going after Murillo (Image: Getty)

Gary Lineker has given Liverpool fans a heads-up about a potential January transfer pursuit.

The Reds opted not to lavish new manager Arne Slot with signings over the summer. And their approach has worked a treat, with Liverpool sitting top of the Premier League table after 10 games, two points clear of Manchester City and seven ahead of Arsenal.

A lack of options at centre-back has sparked some cause for concern, however. Behind the starting duo of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, the drop-off to Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah is significant, and the Merseysiders could look to bolster that particular area during the winter.

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Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Premier League legend Alan Shearer aired his reservations about Liverpool's defensive ranks. "The one tiny worry would be if one of the centre-halves were to get injured," he explained.

Lineker responded: "I understand they're after Murillo from [Nottingham] Forest."

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The Brazilian has turned heads since landing in the Premier League last year as a relative unknown. Forest forked out £15million to sign him from Corinthians and immediately made him a regular starter, sending his market value soaring.

"Those two at Forest [Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic] have done really well this season, that's one of the reasons they're flying high in the Premier League," said Shearer.

Murillo has gone down a storm since signing for Nottingham Forest (Image: Getty)

Murillo has played every minute of every game in the Premier League this season. And though many tipped Forest to have a tough time of it under Nuno Espirito Santo, they go into this weekend's fixtures third in the table after just one defeat in 10 matches.

With seven league goals conceded, only Liverpool have let in fewer. Murillo is a huge part of the Tricky Trees' success, and at 22 years old, there is still plenty of room for the youngster to develop into an even more commanding defender.

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Liverpool are not alone in tracking Murillo. Just about every major side in Europe has been credited with interest, and he suggested this summer that his switch to the City Ground was made with an even bigger move in mind further down the line.

"I had the dream of playing in the Premier League and I had that thought," he explained. "I said: ‘I'll go to Nottingham Forest, have a good year and then I'll go to a big club’. I had that in my head."

In a separate interview, he added: "If I stay at Nottingham, I'll do my best. If I leave, I hope they respect my decision. I'm calm and analysing it in the best way."

Gary Lineker names Premier League player he 'understands' Liverpool are trying to sign

Gary Lineker names Premier League player he 'understands' Liverpool are trying to sign

Gary Lineker names Premier League player he 'understands' Liverpool are trying to sign

Gary Lineker names Premier League player he 'understands' Liverpool are trying to sign

Gary Lineker names Premier League player he 'understands' Liverpool are trying to sign