Arne Slot denied look at transfer 'target' in Euro 2024 opener as Liverpool made to wait

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson was the sole representative of the Reds as the European Championship got underway in Germany. It didn't go the way that the Scotland captain had been dreaming about heading into the fixture.

Scotland went behind early to a goal from Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala soon made the result secure. Germany romped to a comfortable 5-1 victory in the end though an Antonio Rudiger own goal gifted the visitor a consolation.

All throughout the tournament, Liverpool fans will be watching on to see not only how the Reds players involved do but also to get a glimpse of the stars being linked with transfer moves to Anfield. But on this occasion, one man linked with a Premier League switch was left on the bench.

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Earlier this week, German reporter Felix Arnold from BILD claimed that Liverpool was considering a move for 27-year-old Stuttgart center-back Waldemar Anton, who has a release clause worth $24.4m (€22.5m/£19.0m) written into his contract. Having signed Wataru Endo from the same Bundesliga outfit last summer, it is suggested that the Reds could have an advantage having already made an existing relationship with the German side.

But on this occasion, Julian Nagelsmann left Anton on the bench. He wasn't needed, with Rudiger and Jonathan Tah playing at the back for Germany and the Stuttgart man left on the sidelines.

Anton played 33 out of 34 games for Stuttgart last season but nearing the age of 28, he would be a surprising target for Liverpool even though a center-back is a priority this summer for the Reds, who lost Joel Matip at the end of his contract. Recruitment staff at Anfield also like Lille starlet Leny Yoro but the 18-year-old is likely to be heading to Real Madrid.

Liverpool.com says: Anton may well play for Germany before the tournament ends up there are surely better options out there for the Reds than the Stuttgart man this summer. He had a good season but a really top-level defender needs to be a priority given Virgil van Dijk's contract situation and Ibrahima Konate's injury history.