Liverpool told Chris Rigg price as Aurelien Tchouameni claim emerges amid links

Liverpool will look to maintain their unbeaten record when they host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday (8pm kick-off). Arne Slot’s team will head into the game on the back of a comfortable 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.

Luis Diaz bagged a hat-trick and Cody Gakpo also got on the scoresheet. The result was the Reds’ fourth consecutive win in the European competition and they sit top of the table.

For Saturday, Diogo Jota will be unavailable as he recovers from an impact injury to his upper body after he was fallen on by Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo last month. He has so far missed Liverpool’s last two Premier League and Champions League games.

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"We expect him back after the international break," Slot confirmed. "Now, after the international break is six or seven months (of the season) to go! He will be back one or two weeks after the international break."

Elsewhere, Alisson Becker, Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa will all remain sidelined until after the international break, although no comeback date has been set for any of the trio.

The ECHO takes a look at some of the latest Liverpool news and gossip that have emerged over the last 24 hours.

Reds learn Rigg price

Sunderland are reportedly demanding a fee of more than £25million to part ways with their academy graduate Chris Rigg, according to Caught Offside.

Sunderland's wonderkid is grabbing all the headlines after a fantastic start to the season. He became the Black Cats' youngest-ever outfield player and has continued to break records since then. He became the club's youngest-ever scorer after scoring a powerful header in their 5-1 win over Southampton last season, but that record could have tumbled a season earlier.

The 17-year-old, who has mainly operated as a number eight and number 10 this campaign - is attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs including Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and the Reds. Elsewhere, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig are also monitoring the youngster.

United meanwhile, have sent scouts to watch him on a number of occasions.

Tchouameni latest

Liverpool have previously been one of many Premier League clubs interested in the Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni. The 24-year-old was 'extensively' scouted by Liverpool before the summer of 2022 with the club's then manager, Jurgen Klopp. However, he could remain of interest for Slot and Co after the club's target Martin Zubimendi decided to remain at Real Sociedad.

While Tchouameni is focussing on succeeding in Spain, a close source to the Frenchman said: "In the future, you never know what can happen."

He is currently sidelined with a sprained left ankle and is set to miss games against Osasuna, Leganes, Liverpool, Getafe and Athletic Bilbao.