Liverpool have reportedly been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.
Since leaving Ajax for the Allianz Arena last summer, Gravenberch has endured a hugely frustrating time with the Bundesliga giants.
That was due to a lack of game time under Julian Nagelsmann, who has since been replaced in the dugout by Thomas Tuchel.
From Liverpool's perspective, Jurgen Klopp has already acknowledged that he will make changes in midfield later in 2023, a consequence of a number of players departing on free transfers.
Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will not have their contracts renewed, while James Milner may also leave Anfield on a free transfer.
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Last month, it was claimed that Liverpool had already made significant progress in their bid to secure a deal for Gravenberch.
Klopp would theoretically be able to offer the Netherlands international a significant upgrade on the amount of minutes that he has received in Germany.
However, according to CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs, there is now little prospect of that transfer materialising with Tuchel having been appointed as Bayern's new boss.
Speaking to TEAMtalk, Jacobs said: "Now that Nagelsmann has gone, Thomas Tuchel will give everybody a fair chance, and we have to remember that Gravenberch is only 20.
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"He's a phenomenal talent, has got physicality, and intelligence and dynamism. But he just needs kind of shaping a little bit to understand that game management. That will come with age and experience.
"Therefore, Thomas Tuchel will absolutely give him a fair chance. And because there's so little time left in the season, that is likely to extend into the pre-season as well."
On Saturday, Gravenberch was introduced as an 86th-minute substitute as Bayern recorded a 4-2 victory over title rivals Borussia Dortmund.
He has now made 21 outings from the bench, making just three starts in Germany's top flight and the Champions League.
Darren Plant
