Talks to begin with £27m-rated ace loved by Klopp as Liverpool monitor - reports

By Alex Stevens

Liverpool could be thwarted in their attempts to bring exciting young winger Christian Pulisic to the club in January, according to reports.

The Liverpool Echo claim that Borussia Dortmund are keen to tie the USA international down to a long-term contract to ward off interest from Jurgen Klopp's side.

Liverpool are back in the market for an attacker following the season-long injury to Danny Ings and the prospect of losing Sadio Mane for a month in the winter to the Africa Cup of Nations.

However, it is unlikely that they'll land Pulisic in January after Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said they're not selling and are ready to offer him an improved contract.

“We did not educate him to sell him," Zorc said to Sports Illustrated.

"We have a long-running contract until 2019, but because of his development the club is ready to speak to him to prolong his contract.”

The Mail claimed that Liverpool had a £14million bid for the 18-year-old attacker rejected in the summer and were ready to try again in January.

Jurgen Klopp is still keen on the player but it is believed it would take closer to £27million to tempt Dortmund to sell.

The Mail said that Pulisic had concerns about his future role at Dortmund in the summer after they bought Ousmane Dembele and Emre Mor.

But this season Pulisic has re-affirmed his value to the Bundesliga side with some important performances and they are even more reluctant to sell.

He has notched up two goals and six assists in 12 appearances in all competitions this season.

In other Liverpool transfer news, ESPN rate the club's chances of landing this top target in January.