Liverpool Transfer News: Christian Pulisic Speaks Amid Latest Reds Rumours

Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic, a reported transfer target for Liverpool in the summer, has admitted he was well aware of the speculation surrounding his future and has revealed he’s a big Manchester United supporter. 

According to James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo, the Reds retain an interest in the 17-year-old sensation despite having an £11 million bid for his services rejected.

Speaking to ESPN (h/t James Dutton of MailOnline), the Dortmund youngster made it clear that talk over his future would not inhibit his game:

"

I hear about it. I have social media. Obviously I'm not completely closed to the world. 

But I don't let it affect me or how I'm playing at the time. The whole time throughout I was just focused on training every day.

It's a huge club with a lot of good players, so I'm just fighting for my position in the team.

"

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Pulisic added to his burgeoning reputation again on Tuesday night as, once again, he starred for the United States men's national team.

The midfielder was at the centre of a 4-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago as Jurgen Klinsmann’s men coasted into the hexagonal CONCACAF qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Pulisic was a dominant presence in the final third, twisting away from defenders and linking up superbly with attacking team-mates.

Roger Bennett from NBC Sports believes he’s a player who can inspire a future generation of footballers in the United States:

Naturally, clubs will be keen to land him, with the interest of Liverpool already mentioned. However, in a potential blow to the Reds, according to Pulisic, his loyalties lie with Manchester United, and he was a huge fan of a certain former Everton player, too.

“I was a big Manchester United fan when I was younger, so I loved to watch Wayne Rooney,” said the playmaker. “I wouldn't say I'm a similar player, though. I think his passion for the game is something you don't see much in players. That's what I loved about him.”

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On the domestic front Pulisic may not have featured this season for Dortmund yet, although his appearances in the first team in 2015-16 suggest he’s ready to play a significant part at senior level.

That’s something Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will be acutely aware of, having been in charge at the Westfalenstadion when Pulisic arrived. Indeed, as noted by FCB Media’s Cristian Nyari, the illustrious coach wasted no time seeing what the midfielder could do up against some of the best players in European football:

There’s certainly something special about Pulisic. Already he’s having to cope with the pressures of being a key man for the USMNT and for a fanbase that’s been waiting for their first world football superstar to emerge—needless to say there’s plenty of expectation. Nonetheless, he seems to be taking everything in his stride.

For the time being, it would be a big gamble to move clubs in the near future. Naturally, the offers will come thick and fast for this wonderful prospect, although at Dortmund he’s in an environment where he can develop steadily alongside some of the best young players around. That—and his allegiance to United—is unlikely to prevent the Reds from pursuing him, though.