Report: Liverpool open talks with PSG defender Thomas Meunier

Thomas Meunier is the latest player to be linked to the club according to reports.

The PSG right-back has a vast level of experience both on the international stage with Belgian(40 caps) and at club level with Brugge and the current French champions.

French publication Le10(via Football 365) say that the Reds have opened up talks to sign the 28 year- old on a free transfer in the summer.

A number of English clubs including Man United, Arsenal and Tottenham have been linked with Meunier in the past.

And it seems this might be the moment for the well-built defender (190cm-88kg) to be on the move as he has been out of favour with manager Thomas Tuchel making just 16 league appearances in the 2019/20 season.

The scouting report on the former winger says describes him as taking that attacking mindset into his defending with his forward runs and he has a quality touch.

While being right-footed, the full-back also possesses a strong left foot with adept control and, although his speed is not a strong point, his close footwork is a major asset.

While seen as a ‘future star’ on arrival in Paris, it hasn’t been a smooth ride for Meunier, competing for the starting role with the likes of Serge Aurier and Dani Alves and averaging just over 20 league appearances during his four season stint.

Meunier also has a reputation for speaking his mind and never was this truer than when he praised the support of Marseille (a bitter rival of PSG) after a Europa League clash with RB Leipzig in 2018.

Despite being asked to formally apologise by the Collectif Ultras Paris> (Paris Ultras Collective or CUP), he stood his ground and branding some fans "pseudo-supporters" and "12-year-olds" who told him to "'get the f--- out of PSG.'"

He also attacked fans who booed Neymar for not letting Edinson Cavani to take a penalty in the final stages of a 8-0 rout against Dijon.

The fans were in uproar because if the spot-kick was converted it would have been the 157th goal for the Uruguayan at PSG, which would have made him the club's all-time top scorer.

During this particular game which also occurred in 2018, Neymar had scored four goals while setting up two more and his actions were certainly defended by his teammate.

"I understand the disappointment but I find this very disgraceful from the fans.

"If you want to boo him, why do you clap and cheer him when he goes past four defenders to score?"

In keeping with his nature, Meunier is remarkably relaxed about his current situation telling a tv station in his homeland last month.

“A free, international player, who plays in the FIFA ranked world’s No1 team (Belgium) and who is 28 years old, it cannot be a bad buy, even if I get gangrene and I have to cut off a leg!

“Clubs don’t have much to lose in the investment, and I think they know it. They have everything to gain.

“Everything that circulates on me on social media versus Dortmund, I don’t understand: I’ve seen so many articles linking me to Tottenham or Inter.

“I don’t understand this craze. My main objective is always to stay in Paris, but for the moment it’s pretty calm.”

Young academy graduate Neco Williams has been earmarked as the understudy to Trent Alexander-Arnold and has shown in his first team appearances to date that he is not affaid of the big stage.

But if Jürgen Klopp wants a bit of experience as cover, Meunier could be a shrewd signing especially with budgets tight in the footballing world due to coronavirus pandemic and not much spending expected.

And prepare for some more straight talking if the Belgian does join the Reds.