Champions League winner open to joining Liverpool

Bayern Munich defender David Alaba has reportedly given the green light to join Liverpool at the midway stage of the season.

The Austian has spent his career with the Bavarian giants, but he looks set to leave the club next year after a breakdown in contract talks.

His current deal expires at the end of the season and it has been speculated that Bayern may consider his departure in January.

According to Football Insider, Alaba is interested in a move to Anfield, where he could establish himself at the heart of their defence.

The Reds have suffered multiple injury setbacks at the start of the campaign and they are already without three central defensive options.

Both Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are out with long-term knee injuries while Fabinho is still nursing a hamstring problem.

On top of this, right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is also sidelined with a calf problem and the Reds could face a tough couple of months.

Alaba would be a tempting option for the Reds, but Bayern may not allow him to leave on the cheap, given his importance to them.

It will be interesting to see whether the English champions are prepared to meet Bayern's demands for the two-time Champions League winner.