Southampton defender sends strong transfer message to Liverpool

Southampton youngster Sam McQueen is unwilling to throw the towel in on his St Mary's career amid speculation regarding his immediate future. The 21-year-old has been linked with moves to Premier League champions Leicester City and Liverpool as his contract enters its final 18 months.

The 21-year-old has been drafted into left-back following injuries to Ryan Bertrand and Matt Targett, making six senior appearances this term including in the Premier League defeat to Chelsea. The protégé was replace by Bertrand from the start for the 2-0 loss and the increased competition could yet see him forced out of the south coast club.

The Sun understands both Leicester and Liverpool are monitoring McQueen as a possible solution to their left-back problems. But McQueen is unperturbed by the competition for his place and has pledged to impress manager Claude Puel as best he can when opportunities arise.

"You just have to worry about what's right in front of you, but I would hope that I would still stay with the first team and hopefully still get some game time," the Liverpool target told the Southern Daily Echo. "I need to try and impress as much as I can in the games that I get, so hopefully if I get any more chances I need to do my absolute best.

"I need to get forward as much as I can, defend well and do the things that the manager's asked. I need to try and put myself in a position to be selected. It's up to him [Puel], but I need to do everything I can to try and put myself forward.

"I'm very eager to [impress]. It's tough when you're not used to playing games so regularly. It's all been new to me playing games every three days, with the 23s it's not so regular. It's been a challenge to make sure I'm ready physically. The desire to do it is what gets you through the physical pain almost. I'm doing everything I can to try and impress and to try and keep the manager's mind."

With Alberto Moreno having fallen out of favour with Jurgen Klopp following a string of defensive errors, Liverpool have turned to James Milner to fill in at left-back. The former England international sat out the 4-2 win at Crystal Palace due to injury – replaced by Moreno – but status as first choice under Klopp highlights the lack of depth available to Klopp.