Schalke central defender Malick Thiaw is interesting Liverpool.

The Mirror says Liverpool are planning a move for teenage, 6ft 3in Schalke central defender Malick Thiaw – after he was described him as the “new Joel Matip".

Thiaw is just 18 and has played only once in the Bundesliga, but is already highly-rated, just as Matip was when he began career at Schalke back in 2009.

Like Matip, Thiaw is described as a powerful, tall, ball-playing defender, who can also play as a defensive midfielder.

Liverpool scouts have been watching his progress closely, especially as his contract with Schalke runs out in June 2021.

Thiaw's release clause stands at £7million, but Liverpool must act quickly because the German club are already trying to negotiate a new deal with a bigger release fee.

Those negotiations are currently on hold, however, giving the Anfield giants a chance to move in, just as they did for Matip.