Liverpool are not interested in Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck. Nor are they involved in the ‘poker’ around the centre-back.

That’s according to Sky Germany, who dismiss any idea that Liverpool want the Dortmund defender today.

They explain that the German side are keen to extend Schlotterbeck’s contract at the club beyond 2027. That would include a gross salary of €10m, making him one of their top earners. That contract is on the table and negotiations are underway.

However, the player and his agent Björn Etzel are hesitating to sign it. That’s because several top clubs have Schlotterbeck on their radar. One of those are Bayern Munich. There has been no contact about Schlotterbeck so far, though.

Liverpool are not one of the interest parties, despite claims otherwise. They are not in the running, nor do they intend to ‘enter the poker game’ for him. That’s despite Ibrahima Konate’s contract expiring next summer. They’re also short at centre-back due to Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending injury.

Sky, though, insist that they’re not in the mix for Schlotterbeck and any reports stating otherwise can seemingly be dismissed out of hand. We’ll wait and see if the...