Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Liverpool and Chelsea are going head-to-head in a ­£60million battle to sign RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner.

Chelsea have already opened ­negotiations for the German international, who has struck 18 goals in 17 ­Bundesliga appearances so far this season.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is a long-time ­admirer of the 23-year-old goal-machine and was ­keeping his powder dry for the summer before making any bids for the player.

But Chelsea’s move in the January window, following the lifting of their FIFA transfer ban, has triggered ­immediate interest at Anfield.

Werner has already expressed a desire to play in the Premier League, although it is still likely that RB ­Leipzig, who have a great chance of ending the season as Bundesliga champions, will attempt to keep Werner until the summer.

(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The striker, who has been capped 29 times for his country, is seen as a main component of ­Leipzig’s ­attempt to keep at bay big title rivals like Bayern Munich.

Klopp also wants Roma target Xherdan Shaqiri to ­remain at ­Anfield until the end of the s­eason.

The Italians want the Swiss international ­initially on loan, with the prospect of a permanent deal. Shaqiri is interested in switching to Serie A after seeing his first-team appearances ­restricted, following last summer’s move from Stoke City.

(Image: FILIP SINGER/EPA-EFE/REX)

Klopp though does not want to lose any of his first-team squad as the club move in on their first title since 1990.

He will ask Shaqiri to stay put until the summer when his future will then be up for discussion.