Liverpool interested in Scottish under-21 international

Liverpool have deployed a scout to monitor the progress of Sturm Graz's right-back Max Johnston, with the former Motherwell defender highly recommended by Anfield club legend Andy Robertson. 20-year-old Johnston moved to Austria in 2023 and has caught the eye sufficiently for numerous Premier League scouts to monitor the player's progress.

Coming through the ranks at Motherwell, the Middlesbrough-born defender had a few loan spells with Cove Rangers and Queen of the South, before a surprise transfer to the Austria Bundesliga. Johnston has played for Scotland's under-16, under-19 and under-21 sides, and is expected to eventually play for the Scottish full national team.

Liverpool are ready to move for Johnston in a deal worth a reported £6 million, for a player that has three years remaining on his current contract.  The defender is the son of Allan Johnston, who played for numerous sides during his career such as Middlesbrough and Rangers.

Liverpool will need to move quickly to sign the right-sided defender, as Southampton are also amongst the other teams interested.