Liverpool look to have been dealt a transfer blow as a reported bid for Juventus centre-back Merih Demiral has seemingly been rejected.

According to Sky Italia (via BBO Sports), the Serie A side have rejected a £45 million bid from Liverpool for the Turkish centre-back.

The Reds are seemingly desperate to add a centre-back to their side following the injuries to Fabinho and Joel Matip recently, with first-choice centre-backs Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk still sidelined with their knee issues.

This leaves just Nathaniel Phillips and Rhys Williams as natural centre-back options in Jurgen Klopp's side, both of whom have shown their inexperience and vulnerabilities in recent weeks.

Jordan Henderson has shown himself to be a viable option in that position but cannot be a long-term solution for Klopp, which leaves the Reds in a position where they need an experienced centre-back in their squad before the transfer deadline on February 1st.

Demiral could have been an excellent option for the German manager, considering his performances for Juventus in recent seasons.

The 23-year-old made just six appearances in Serie A last season, due to a long-term injury, but averaged a superb 7.05 rating for those performances.

He also averaged an excellent 92.1% pass accuracy and won 3.3 duels on average per game - which is more than Gomez managed last season for the Reds, which suggests that he would have been a good addition to the squad at Liverpool.

The former Sassuolo man has been limited to just nine appearances in Serie A for Andrea Pirlo's side this season, so may well be frustrated with his lack of game time, but it still seems as if Juventus have high hopes for him in the future, considering they were reportedly unwilling to sell him for £45 million.

Turkish football expert Emre Sarigul was full of praise for Demiral, saying:

"The Turkish international towers above most players, is physical, strong in the air and surprisingly technical with the ball for such a big man. He is a natural leader and cool under pressure.”

Therefore, it comes as a big blow for Klopp that the Reds' bid for Demiral was reportedly rejected, as there is plenty of evidence to suggest he would've been ideal for Liverpool in their current injury crisis.

And, in other news... Edwards must avoid last-gasp swoop for £35m CB who's "an accident waiting to happen"