Liverpool keen to cancel Atletico Madrid defender Javier Manquillo's two-year loan spell at Anfield

Liverpool are reportedly keen on cancelling Javier Manquillo's loan midway through their two-year deal with Atletico Madrid following the arrival of Nathaniel Clyne from Southampton.

According to the Guardian, the Spanish defender has become surplus to requirements at Anfield and Brendan Rodgers is keen to trim down his squad following a host of arrivals this summer.

Manquillo was regularly used by the Northern Irishman at the start of last campaign, and he made 19 appearances for the first-team, but only three of those were in 2015, when he lost his place in the team following the manager's shift to the 3-5-2 formation, which saw Emre Can being used as the right-sided defender.

The 21-year-old right-back, who was a on a two-year loan spell from the Spanish capital club, with an option to make the deal permanent will be allowed to leave as he will struggle to find a place in the team following the signing of Clyne.

Apart from the former Saints star, the Reds have also brought in Joe Gomez from Charlton, who can play in that position, and also handed right-back Andre Wisdom a new four-year deal following his return from a season-long loan spell with West Bromwich Albion last season.

However, the report claims that Liverpool are yet to reach an agreement with the player or his parent club over the termination of his loan, but are keen to open talks sooner rather than later with the La Liga side.

According to the Daily Mail, Portuguese side Benfica had shown interest in signing the Spanish defender, who has three-years remaining on his current deal with Atletico, but have now cooled their interest and moved on to other targets.