Premier League: Brighton's Moises Caicedo replies as reports of Liverpool transfer speculations emerge

An unfortunate string of injuries has left the Reds shorthanded in the engine room at Anfield.

According to reports, Liverpool has beaten Manchester United to the punch in their pursuit of Moises Caicedo.

Before his transfer to Brighton in December 2020, United had the opportunity to recruit the midfielder for £5.4 million but decided against it because of the cost of his agency. 

Brighton signed the centre midfielder from South American club Independiente in January last year.

In the first six games of the Premier League season, the 20-year-old has been one of the most impressive performers.

Caicedo, an Ecuadorian star, was said to be set for a £42 million move to Merseyside before the close of the summer transfer season, but no deal was reached, and the promising 20-year-old now claims he is happy playing on the south coast.

Brighton rejected a bid from the Reds made late in the day on transfer deadline day.

Brighton has given Liverpool priority to recruit Caicedo after the World Cup in January, according to reports from Ecuadorian media outlets.

Surprisingly, the article suggests Brighton could be willing to let him leave in January. If he does well for Ecuador in the World Cup, they believe they can receive the best possible price for him.

Liverpool allegedly prioritises a winter transfer, which is excellent news for the club. This gives them an advantage over rival clubs such as Manchester United and Arsenal in the pursuit of signing Caicedo.

After scoring against the Foxes and amid transfer rumours, Caicedo addressed the media about his future.

Moises Caicedo opens up on Liverpool links

On rumours of his link, Caicedo said, "I'm very happy here at Brighton. I'm not thinking about any other club than Brighton. This is the club where I am now, and I will give everything for this club and to keep doing well here."

The highly regarded South American signed with the Seagulls in February 2021 and has since played 16 games for the team, scoring twice (against Manchester United and Leicester).

The following August, he was loaned to Belgian club Beerschot; in January, he returned to Brighton, where he played well in 10 games.

After Yves Bissouma left for Tottenham Hotspur in a £25 million deal, Caicedo was able to break into the first team at the tail end of last season and has continued to do so this year.

He's played every minute of Brighton's six Premier League games thus far and scored his first goal in their 5-2 home win over Leicester City.

After a stellar preseason, his value has increased significantly. He has played a vital role in Graham Potter's defence, which has had three clean sheets in the first six games of the season, largely thanks to his play at the back.

Caicedo has been instrumental as Brighton has gotten off to a good start in 2022-23, with 13 points after six games.