Liverpool plan another raid on Arsenal

Bengaluru, February 4: Liverpool have shockingly been linked with a move for England midfielder Jack Wilshere if he rejects a new deal at Arsenal.

The Gunners have offered their England midfielder new terms but they include a pay cut to his £90,000-a-week wages.

The 26-year-old is locked in talks with Arsenal chiefs, but his poor injury record means any new deal will be based on appearances and performance.

Wilshere's career looked to be on the way down following a series of injuries but the Englishman has picked his form up this season and has delivered more often than not.

But Kop boss Jurgen Klopp is ready to match Wilshere’s current salary if he can land him on a free this summer.

Klopp has already poached Wilshere’s former Arsenal team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in a £35million deal.

And he is understood to be a fan of Wilshere who is fighting to get back in the England team in time for the World Cup.

The German sees the midfielder as the ideal replacement for contract rebel Emre Can who has attracted interest from Juventus.

Can is unlikely to sign a new Anfield deal and Klopp admitted: “Sometimes a player just wants to sit out his contract.

That’s not cool for the club, but there are moments in which you have to accept it.”

Liverpool great Phil Thompson reckons Wilshere would be a great signing for the Reds.

He said: “I would take him at Liverpool — he’s got that much ability.”

“I’ve always been a great lover of him.”

His comments were echoed by ex-Arsenal star Paul Merson who said: “I think Liverpool would take him all day long.”