Liverpool face a battle to prise Ben Gibson away from Middlesbrough this summer.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is turning to the England international defender after last week's fiasco involving Southampton's fiasco.

However, new Boro manager Garry Monk is reluctant to see his captain sold.

Monk said: "Ben is one of a number of players here who are integral to the squad, integral to making that step back.

“Ben is obviously a big focal point the team. I've watched him over the last couple of seasons, and I'm well aware of him and what he can bring to the team.

“It's important that you keep your best players, and important you're able to keep a core together and give yourself the best possible opportunity of reaching the club's ambition, which is to go back to the Premier League.

“Ben is a big part of that. Discussions will happen with players. It's my job to sit with them, and show them the way forward.

“It's important that we keep our best players, and the club are in agreement with that."