Pep Lijnders says Barca ace is the "best young midfieler in Europe" after previous reports of Liverpool interest

Liverpool's Pep Lijnders has said that the Barcelona ace is the "best young midfielder in Europe" after previous reports of Liverpool interest.

The Reds have been monitoring midfield options all summer and have been linked with Pedri in the past.

At 19, the Barcelona youngster is already regarded as the best young player in the world and has already won the 2021 Golden Boy award.

Lijnders is clearly a big fan and helped drive Liverpool's initial interest for the midfielder.

Liverpool interest in Pedri

Mundo Deportivo (via Teamtalk), claimed Liverpool were among the suitors who showed interest in Pedri, as well as German champions Bayern Munich.

That interest was seemingly concrete last summer, however, Pedri has since signed a long-term deal with the club.

Pedri, 18, signed a new contract until June 30, 2026, with a record-breaking release clause of €1 billion ($1.16 billion).

Liverpool have also been linked with a move for Gavi, but the 17-year-old decided to also sign a new deal.

Lijnders backs Liverpool youth

In his book titled Intensity, Lijnders claims that Liverpool already possess some of the best youth in Europe.

“Pedri is the best young midfielder in Europe… only because Harvey and Curtis are Brexit players now!” Lijnders wrote.

Harvey Elliot broke the record as the youngest player to play in the EFL Cup and Premier League doing both before his 17th birthday.

Whilst Curtis Jones has been a part of the Liverpool first-team squad for a few years now and continues to be one of their brightest young talents, but he will be hoping for more minutes this season as he competes with Fabio Carvalho and Elliot.