The Reds are in need of a new recruit after unexpectedly selling both Jordan Henderson and Fabinho this summer. Having lost out to Chelsea in the battle for Moises Caicedo, and likely seeing Southampton’s Romeo Lavia also head to Stamford Bridge, Jurgen Klopp’s side have been forced to look for alternative targets.

It has been claimed by The Independent that Liverpool are ‘stepping up’ their interest in Palace’s Doucoure, who is expected to be valued at under £60milllion. Here’s a lowdown on what the young midfielder could bring to Anfield:

Doucoure, 23, was signed by Palace from Lens for a rising fee of up to €26million last summer. It took little time for the Mali international to settle in at Selhurst Park as he produced an impressive display against Arsenal on his debut.

Speaking about his reasons for coming to England, Doucoure revealed his excitement at learning under former boss Patrick Vieira, as well as the influence of watching Yaya Toure in the Premier League. “I had several conversations with the manager before I joined,” he explained. “It motivated me because he is Patrick Vieira, he played in the same position as me and he is a legend.

“Since I was very young I always dreamed of playing here. I used to watch it and today I’m proud to be playing here. [I used to watch] Yaya Touré! He has always made me hope and motivated me. Because he played in the Premier League I decided to come here also.”

The midfielder won Palace’s player of the season award after making 34 league appearances for the Eagles. From a Liverpool perspective, Doucoure played in a less-possession-based side but completed more tackles, interceptions and blocked a larger number of shots per game than Fabihno last season.

Only Declan Rice (63) completed more interceptions than Doucoure (56) last term. According to Fbref, over the last year, Doucoure ranks in the 80th percentile of midfielders for successful tackles across the top five leagues; 79th for shots blocked; and the 94th for interceptions.

He has certainly impressed Roy Hodgson since the former Liverpool boss returned to Palace in March. Summing up the skills that have helped make the midfielder “very influential” to Palace, Hodgson said: “His positional sense, his ability to read the game, his technical ability, and the fact that he gets around the field so well.”

In a separate interview in May, the 76-year-old continued his glowing praise of the holding midfielder: “He is very good: a very nice person, a very good player – a very serious player

“He is getting better. It’s his first season in the Premier League, and he is constantly coming to terms with different challenges thrown up each week by the different Premier League teams we meet.

“I am more than satisfied with him. He has got that quality that one is looking for from a central midfield player either in a two or a three. [Cheick’s] English is getting a lot better which is also useful, and he is a very popular member of the squad. The lad has got a lot going for him.”

Following a summer that has seen several senior pros leave the Reds, Jurgen Klopp has spoken of the opportunity to begin building “Liverpool reloaded”. Given his early success with Palace, Doucoure could prove to be the right fit for the club’s new-look midfield alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.