Ben White to Liverpool transfer rumour addressed by Brighton boss Graham Potter

Brighton boss Graham Potter has dismissed speculation linking Ben White with a transfer to Liverpool as "football noise".

White, 23, has reportedly emerged as a target for the Reds after Virgil van Dijk was ruled out for a lengthy period with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

With Joe Gomez and Joel Matip the only remaining senior centre-backs, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is believed to be drawing up a list of targets for the January window.

White is believed to be one of the priority targets, though he signed a new four-year deal with the Seagulls last month and Potter insists he has "no concerns" about the Englishman.

"I think it is a bit like it was at the start of the season. All sorts of talk about him doing this, him doing that, and it is generated by outside, by outside of our control really," the Brighton boss said ahead of Monday's clash with West Brom.

"It is part of the football noise. The transfer window closed last week and we are already having conversations around transfer speculation. It’s just the way it is.

"I know he is level-headed enough to not let it affect him. I think at this level you have to know it is part of the territory.

"It is part of the job of being a footballer, while it’s part of what you have to deal with. Consistently all he has done is get on with his football.

"He has come into training, tried to be professional, tried his best, and tried to play football. I have no concerns about Ben."

Brighton have reportedly placed a £50million price tag on White, but Potter refused to be drawn when pressed further about his prized asset.

He added: "I haven’t heard anything about that. Apparently if it comes in the media, it must be true, eh?"