Emerging left-back responds to Liverpool transfer links

Senegal left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf has admitted it "sounds nice" to join Liverpool but insists he is in "no rush" to decide his next move at this early stage of his career.

Diouf only celebrated his 20th birthday last month but has quickly risen to prominence this season by turning out for Slavia Prague in the Europa League.

It has been a struggle for the Czech club in European competition, but Diouf's displays as an attacking left-sided wing-back have brought him six goals and three assists in the Czech First League as Slavia hurtle towards a national title.

Transfer links with Liverpool have emerged as the Reds begin to consider a future beyond Andrew Robertson, who will turn 31 in March and is no longer at the peak of his powers.

Diouf appears to have a level head on his young shoulders, though.

"I can see what is happening around me, but I am definitely not distracted by it. I am concentrating on myself, on Slavia, I have no reason to rush. I told my uncle, my agent, the same thing. He knows everything," the youngster told Czech media outlet iDNES.

"I know that one day I will take the next step. That day is approaching, but I have to be convinced that it is happening at the ideal moment so as not to slow down my development," he added, expressing concern that the wrong move could result in playing less football.

"I don't know if [Liverpool interest] is true. It sounds nice, but would I play for Liverpool? Would I fit in there? For me, it is essential that I don't stop. It is difficult to move from the substitutes bench. I need to play."

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