Report: Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller sparks Liverpool interest

Fresh off a dominant 5-1 victory over Tottenham that clinched the Premier League title with four games to spare, the Reds are riding high. The triumph followed confirmation that captain Virgil van Dijk and star forward Mohamed Salah have signed new contracts, securing their futures at Anfield for another two years.

However, uncertainty looms over Trent Alexander-Arnold, with reports suggesting the academy graduate is likely to join Real Madrid on a free transfer next summer.

Under manager Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes, Liverpool are wasting no time planning for the future. Despite Jurgen Klopp's midfield overhaul last summer, bringing in Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo, and Dominik Szoboszlai, Slot believes Stiller could add further dynamism.

“The manager has shared his excitement with the board about Stiller's potential to bring balance and control,” a source close to the club revealed.

Stiller, a 24-year-old defensive midfielder, has shone for Stuttgart despite their mid-table position in the Bundesliga. His tactical intelligence and ability to dictate play have earned comparisons to Toni Kroos, with former Hoffenheim coach Sebastian Hoeness praising his “incredible strategic skills” and ability to “read and dictate games from the No. 6 role.”

The German international, who debuted for his country in September 2024, boasts a remarkable pass completion rate and has contributed 10 goal involvements in 41 appearances this season.

Stuttgart are reluctant to part with their star, whose contract runs until 2028 with a 36.5-million-euro release clause activating in 2026. However, Liverpool's proposed 60-million-euro offer could prove tempting, especially as Slot views Stiller as a perfect fit to compete with or complement Gravenberch in the holding role.

Recent posts on X reflect growing excitement among Liverpool fans, with one supporter calling Stiller “the Fabinho heir” and another labeling the potential 36-million-euro deal “a beauty.” However, interest from Real Madrid and Manchester United, as noted in X posts, could complicate negotiations.

Meanwhile, midfielder Harvey Elliott, who faces an uncertain future amid transfer speculation, credited Liverpool's title success to their unity. “We have leaders who've seen it all—highs, lows, heartbreak,” Elliott told the Liverpool Echo. “We've stuck together as a team, and that's why we're champions.”

With Slot's vision taking shape, Liverpool's pursuit of Stiller signals their intent to build a squad capable of dominating both domestically and in Europe. The Reds must now act swiftly to secure the German's signature before rival clubs enter the race.