Liverpool youngster Cameron Brannagan is close to leaving his boyhood club and joining Oxford United on a permanent basis.

The highly-rated 21-year-old made eight appearances under Jürgen Klopp during the 2015-16 season but has since found his opportunities limited and is now desperate to play first-team football.

Brannagan, who once attracted interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona, will see his current contract at Anfield expire this summer and Oxford are ready to offer a two-and-a-half year deal to the midfielder.

How Liverpool could line up in 2018/19 Show all 11 1 /11 How Liverpool could line up in 2018/19 How Liverpool could line up in 2018/19 Simon Mignolet Getty How Liverpool could line up in 2018/19 Joe Gomez Getty How Liverpool could line up in 2018/19 Joel Matip Reuters How Liverpool could line up in 2018/19 Virgil van Dijk Getty How Liverpool could line up in 2018/19 Alberto Moreno Getty How Liverpool could line up in 2018/19 Jordan Henderson Getty How Liverpool could line up in 2018/19 Thomas Lemar Getty How Liverpool could line up in 2018/19 Naby Keita Getty How Liverpool could line up in 2018/19 Mohamed Salah Getty How Liverpool could line up in 2018/19 Sadio Mané Getty How Liverpool could line up in 2018/19 Roberto Firmino Getty

The Salford-born youngster will hold talks with the League One outfit on Tuesday, with a move expected to be completed in the coming days. Oxford manager Pep Clotet is keen to add technical players to his squad as The U's continue their push for a play-off place.

Shortly after his appointment as Liverpool manager in October 2015, Klopp described Brannagan as having “everything you need” in a midfield player and fielded him in the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup later that season.

However, the Salford-born youngster has since failed to add to his total of nine senior appearances and was left out of Klopp's squad for Liverpool's pre-season tours of Hong Kong and Germany last summer.