Ruben Neves' relationship with Pep Lijnders & why he always interests Liverpool

Ruben Neves’ long-standing relationship with Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders could put the Reds ahead in the race to sign the Wolves midfielder.

Neves has starred at Molineux since joining the Midlands club from Porto in 2017, becoming a key member of Nuno Espiritio Santo’s side.

He started all 42 games as Wolves won the Championship in his first season in England and has made at least 35 appearances in all three Premier League campaigns he’s played in.

Wolves signed Neves for a club-record fee in the region of £16million, but his stock has never been higher, with transfermarkt valuing him at £45m.

But after a disappointing season in the top-flight which saw them lose 17 matches, Wolves are set to make major changes ahead of next term.

One of those changes is the departure of Nuno, with the club announcing they were moving on from the Portuguese manager in the lead-up to their final games of the season.

Wolves will look to conduct a squad rebuild in the summer transfer window under a new manager and will need to sell some of their bigger names in order to raise funds.

Neves is one of their biggest assets, with The Athletic reporting that the club’s hierarchy hope to sell him for £35m in the upcoming window.

Both Manchester United and Liverpool are believed to be interested in signing Neves, with the Premier League rivals looking to upgrade their midfield options this summer.

The Reds may have the upper-hand in the race though, with Lijnders’ previous relationship with Neves potentially helping.

The Dutch coach worked with Neves during his seven-year spell at Porto, where he helped to lead their academy just as the midfielder was coming through the ranks.

It is clear that Lijnders still holds Neves in high regard, with Jurgen Klopp’s number two previously revealing that the 24-year-old would make the perfect target for Liverpool.

Which club will sign Ruben Neves? Comment below.

“I know him very well, his ambition, his passion for the game, his professionalism. I know what he gives to the team and this type of player always interests us,” he told O Jogo in 2019.

“I recognised him when I saw him at Wolves. I saw technique, professionalism. I saw the 2013-14 player I knew.”

It also appears that the two men still have a relationship, something which could also help Liverpool to complete a move.

"Yes, it was a special moment. He’s a man, he’s got a wife, a baby… It’s good to see my boys,” Lijnders said when asked if he’s spoken to Neves during their time in England.

Neves’ style of play will certainly suit Liverpool, with the Portuguese among the top 10 players in the top-flight for completed open play passes into the final third in each of the last three campaigns (per FBRef).

He is also defensively solid, having been ranked fifth for tackles won in the Premier League this past season.

Neves would certainly add to the Reds’ midfield, with the hole left by Gini Wijnaldum needing to be filled.