Summer signings Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha both starred for Tottenham as they fell agonisingly short of lifting their second trophy in the space of four months, but Frank added post-match that he needs reinforcements in the closing weeks of the window.

As a respected leader and captain for Palace, playfully referred to as "Uncle Marc" by his England team-mates because of his maturity and temperament, he fits into the culture Liverpool have fostered over this recent period of success.

Liverpool have opened talks with Crystal Palace to sign centre-back Marc Guéhi, with the south London club expecting a fee of around £30 million ($41m) plus £5m in add-ons, sources have told ESPN.

Currently, Slot has just three centre-backs – Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and new signing Giovanni Leoni – to choose from, while usual midfielders Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch could fill in at centre-back if called upon.

Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi has become one of the most talked-about names of the summer window, with Liverpool emerging as frontrunners in the race for his signature. According to Sky Sports, discussions have taken place but the valuation remains a stumbling block.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot confirmed on Thursday an agreement reached with Parma to sign teenage defender Giovanni Leoni. Slot, however, refused to discuss any potential deal for another center back — England international Marc Guehi — and said any comments would need to come from his club,