Waldemar Anton has already endorsed Liverpool transfer as 'enquiry' made over summer move

VfB Stuttgart captain Waldemar Anton is the latest player to be linked with a move to Liverpool.

The 27-year-old took over the armband from current Reds midfielder Wataru Endo after the Japanese international completed the shock move to the Premier League. Endo arrived on Merseyside following the sales of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, as the two midfield stalwarts swapped Anfield for the Saudi Pro League.

Arne Slot is approaching his second week in charge of Liverpool after replacing Jurgen Klopp as the Reds head coach, and from June 14 (this Friday), the Dutchman will officially enter his first transfer window in charge of the club when it opens across Europe.

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Already, the Reds have been the subject of several links with players around the world, including Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio, who has emerged as another rumoured target - although it is understood that he is not high on the shortlist. However, the ECHO reported last week that with the departure of Joel Matip as a free agent, there is space on both the wage bill and squad list for a new centre-back, accounting for Jarell Quansah's emergence.

Liverpool typically prefer their first-team additions to be between the ages of 22 and 25, with around 150 to 200 senior appearances. The links for Anton don't seem to fit the FSG mould, given that the German international celebrates his 28th birthday, next month. But it hasn't stopped rumours from Germany.

Felix Arnold, the VfB Stuttgart reporter for BILD, has claimed that Liverpool have enquired about the defender but face competition from Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen for the skipper. Anton is said to have a €22.5million release clause within his current deal at the MHP Arena.

The 27-year-old spoke highly of former Stuttgart teammate, Endo, after his move to the Reds and described the club as "one of the best in the world".

"Of course, we would all have preferred it if Wataru had stayed because he is simply great in terms of sport and personality," said Anton.

"But he's not going anywhere, he's going to Liverpool FC, one of the best clubs in the world. We understand he wanted to seize this opportunity and we wish him the best.”