Liverpool are reportedly interested in starting a summer transfer for Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes - and his previous comments about the club have resurfaced.
The Brazilian joined Newcastle in January 2022 from Lyon for a fee of Ł40m and quickly established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
His performances over the past 18 months have been key to helping the Warblers finish third in the league this season, with Eddie Howe's side potentially qualifying for the Champions League.
According to The Athletic, Liverpool's recruitment department appreciates Guimaraes and wants to bring the 25-year-old back to Anfield this summer, but Newcastle's successful qualification to Europe's top club competition would make an agreement particularly difficult to conclude.
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However, speaking after Newcastle lost 0-1 to the Red Devils at St James' Park in April 2022, Guimaraes expressed his admiration for Jurgen Klopp's teachers and students. Guimaraes' past comments on Liverpool's revival
The Brazil international said (quoted via the Liverpool Echo):
"It was a difficult game. We knew Liverpool were on another level, but we gave our best. In my opinion, we expected more. We didn't hold the ball well, it was difficult. "
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"What I can tell you is that Liverpool are on another level. You have to work to reach that level.
"We had to work harder and try to play with more balls. We had to try to take advantage of the space and fall behind, we didn't. We didn't deserve the win today. Today."
Even though Newcastle lost that particular game, it didn't take long to make an impressive comeback in the second half of the season under Howe.
In early February, the Magpies remained in the relegation zone after a disappointing start to the campaign under Steve Bruce. But they finished the season in 11th place, 14 points behind the bottom three teams.
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Newcastle have been increasingly strong this season, with Howe's coaching, along with key signings such as Alexander Isak and Sven Botman, making the most of their squad.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have not been able to regain their dominant form in recent seasons and only a six-match winning streak has given them a chance to qualify for the Champions League.
And while Guimaraes claims the Red Devils are on a "different level" than Newcastle last year, he may now have changed his mind.
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