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Liverpool are continuing to monitor Manuel Lanzini ahead of a possible summer bid, sources have told Football FanCast.

The Telegraph reported last summer that Lanzini was being considered as a potential alternative to Nabil Fekir, the Lyon attacking midfielder who failed to complete a move to Anfield, before suffering a serious injury.

And FFC can now reveal that Liverpool have not given up hope of luring the 26-year-old to Merseyside.

Indeed, Lanzini sustained a cruciate knee ligament injury in the summer and was subsequently ruled out of participating in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

He made his comeback on Friday, coming on as a substitute in the 3-1 win over Fulham at the London Stadium.

Sources within the London Stadium have confirmed to FFC that Liverpool's previous interest was genuine and that Klopp remains keen on the prospect of securing a deal for Lanzini.

The 26-year-old's current contract expires in 2020, but West Ham hold an option to extend that by a further two years should they so wish.

Liverpool have struggled for form in recent weeks, with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah both flattering to deceive.

The Reds, in total, have won just one of their last five games in all competitions - a 3-0 success over Bournemouth.

And there is a fear at West Ham that Liverpool's lack of goals and creativity will see them turn to their playmaker.

Lanzini was in superb form last season, scoring five goals and laying on nine assists in all competitions. Had he not sustained his injury, he would surely have played a part in Argentina's World Cup campaign.

It remains to be seen whether West Ham would countenance the prospect of selling one of their prized assets this summer, however.

They have already been forced to endure one saga this season - Marko Arnautovic's flirtation with China ended with him signing a new contract in January.

There is a clause in that deal, however, that will allow him to leave in the next transfer window if a bid worth £45million is tabled.

Manuel Lanzini celebrates scoring for West Ham United against Everton

The prospect of losing both Lanzini and Arnautovic in the same summer is unthinkable for many Hammers fans.

Co-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan, then, would surely demand a king's ransom for Lanzini if they were to sell up.

As it stands, he has returned just in time for the Hammers, with Michail Antonio hopeful that he can aid their push for European football. West Ham are currently ninth, four points behind seventh-placed Watford in the final Europa League qualification spot.

He told Sky Sports: "They call Manu 'the jewel' and that's exactly what he is. He is a special player and hopefully he can come back and keep pushing us up the table."