The Crystal Palace captain, who is now into the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park, has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League champions. According to the BBC, Liverpool have now held initial talks with the Eagles with a view to signing the 25-year-old.

An offer is yet to be made for the England international while an agreement would also need to be reached on the player side.

Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Giovanni Leoni from Parma after the Italian ‘said yes’ to joining the Merseysiders, according to reports.