Liverpool are interested in signing Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge to bolster their options in the middle of the park, according to a new transfer claim.

The Lowdown: Berge impresses for Blades

The 24-year-old came up against the Reds in the Champions League during his time at Genk prior to joining the Blades in January 2020. Indeed, he opened the scoring at Anfield in the Yorkshire club's 2-1 defeat to Jurgen Klopp's team in the early weeks of the 2020/21 season.

Berge has become a key figure at Bramall Lane, sticking with them after their relegation from the Premier League last year and already starting six Championship games this season, with his performances ranking him as the team's fifth-best player according to WhoScored.

With Liverpool on the lookout for a new midfielder this week amid a spate of injuries in that position, it looks as though the 30-cap Norway international could be a target.

The Latest: Liverpool keen on Berge

According to The Yorkshire Post, Liverpool have 'joined the chase' to sign Berge before Thursday's transfer cutoff, with other clubs also interested.

His current Blades deal expires in the summer of 2024 and contains a £35m release clause, which if met by the Reds would force the Championship club to sell him.

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The Verdict: Is he good enough?

While Berge has made his mark against Liverpool before, and despite Jurgen Klopp being a long-time admirer of his, it does feel as though the Reds signing him would be risky.

At the end of the day, he is plying his trade in the Championship and has been for more than a year now, so perhaps that is a reason why nobody has taken a punt on him so far.

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It could be that Klopp feels he can turn Berge into a formidable player at Anfield, but there are better options out there and it is easy to imagine a negative reaction from some supporters if a player from the second tier comes in to bolster depth in an injury-hit position.

Indeed, when a similar situation arose two seasons ago as Liverpool bought Ben Davies from Championship outfit Preston on deadline day in January 2021, it proved a mis-step as the 27-year-old never played competitively for the Reds.