Liverpool have reportedly emerged as serious contenders to sign Brentford attacker Kevin Schade in 2027.

The Bees are understandably desperate to keep hold of their star winger, with Brentford supposedly opening initial talks regarding extended terms for the player at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Keith Andrews's side continue to defy the external expectations concerning Brentford, with his troops sitting in sixth spot in the Premier League standings after losing just one of their opening eight top-flight contests.

There was disappointment for Schade and company on Wednesday night, though, when the Bees were knocked out of the EFL Cup at the round-of-16 stage following a 3-2 defeat by Sunderland.

On the same day, Andoni Iraola's Liverpool booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the cup competition with a penalty-shootout success over Xabi Alonso's Chelsea at a sold-out and rowdy Anfield.

Liverpool planning 2027 Schade swoop?

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool have emerged as serious contenders in the hunt for Brentford star Schade, who is contracted to the West London outfit until the end of the 2027-28 campaign.

The report claims that the Bees' stance on a high-profile sale of the 24-year-old could soften over the coming weeks, should Andrews's men fail to tie the talent down to extended terms in the capital.

It is believed that Brentford are expecting a significant profit on Schade following his 2023 arrival from Bundesliga side Freiburg for around £20m - a bargain given his performances so far.

As well as Iraola's Liverpool, Premier League champions Arsenal are also known to be admirers of the German, who started for Jurgen Klopp's national team twice in late September.

There is also supposedly interest for Schade elsewhere in London, with arch rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur keen, whilst Manchester United are mentioned as a potential interested party.

Is Schade the Salah replacement?

Much was made of Liverpool's failure to sign a like-for-like replacement for legendary attacker Mohamed Salah over the summer, however, the Reds have still enjoyed a positive start to the term.

Proven in the Premier League and capable of operating to devastating effect on both flanks, Brentford's Schade would be an excellent option for head coach Iraola on Merseyside in the coming years.

The 24-year-old is threatening a truly-standout campaign at the top level after being partly in the shadows of Igor Thiago, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa in West London over the past three seasons.