Former Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes believes Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen isn't ready for a move to his old club - but would welcome Real Madrid winger Rodrygo at Anfield. The Reds are among a number of clubs to have been linked with Huijsen with 20-year-old centre-back having been an impressive performer for the Cherries since arriving from Juventus last summer.

The defender's form saw him earn his first caps for the Spanish national team last month in their UEFA Nations League quarter-final against Holland.

Liverpool are on guard for a revamp of their centre-back options with Ibrahima Konate soon to enter the final 12 months of his contract and Joe Gomez having last year been close to a move to Newcastle United.

But Morientes, who spent 18 months at Anfield in the mid-2000s, believes Huijsen must make further steps before the Reds consider a move for the youngster.

“I don't know if Dean Huijsen is ready for Liverpool," said the former Spain international. "I think he's still young and has a lot of room for improvement. What I can tell you is that I've been incredibly surprised by his ability as a central defender.

“It's not easy being a centre-back for a big team, but from the little I've seen of him, he seems like a player who has proven himself and is starting to be ready to lead a defence for a big club. If I were the club's directors, I'd always put someone with experience alongside him as a role model for him to learn from.