Who is Matt O'Riley? Liverpool interested in 19-goal Celtic star but faces transfer competition

Liverpool has been linked with a flurry of new players recently as we approach the final month of the transfer window. One of the more left-field names to emerge is Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley .

It's been a slow burn for the new era at Liverpool, with sporting director Richard Hughes keeping his powder dry while Arne Slot gets to grips with the squad he inherited from Jurgen Klopp . The upshot is that the Reds are one of just two Premier League sides yet to dip into the transfer market.

That only invites more scrutiny on the first deal when it finally happens. And it's been suggested that O'Riley could be handed the honor of being the first through the door, with Rudy Galetti reporting that Liverpool is being kept "well-informed" on the situation.

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Atalanta of Serie A has supposedly "moved first" for the Celtic man, but it remains an open race. In La Liga, Atletico Madrid is also staying abreast of developments.

So who exactly is O'Riley, and what's the potential transfer appeal to Liverpool? The 23-year-old moved north of the border to Celtic from MK Dons in January 2022, having initially come through the youth system at Fulham (he made a League Cup appearance in 2018/19, when the Cottagers were in the top flight, but is yet to taste Premier League action).

Born in England, he was eligible to represent Denmark or Norway through his mother's side. Having played for various English age-group sides, he made the switch at U21 level, and is now a full Danish international.

That speaks to the impressive form he has continued to show at Celtic. He showed at MK Dons that he is a central midfielder with an uncommon eye for a goal, and that has been the case in Scotland as well.

O'Riley hit 18 goals in the Scottish top flight last season, contributing 13 assists for good measure. He also played the vast majority of minutes, having remained remarkably injury-free throughout his career to date.

It's not actually the first time Liverpool has been credited with an interest. Back in 2022, just six months into O'Riley's stint at Celtic, the Reds were among a host of top clubs supposedly tracking the midfielder .

If Liverpool has continued to keep a watchful eye, it will have seen a player continuing to develop and thrive. This could be an interesting one to watch.

Liverpool.com says: There is undoubtedly talent to be found in the Scottish top flight. And O'Riley comes with the added benefit of experience in the English football pyramid.

Conor Bradley has proven that the jump from League One to the Premier League is far from insurmountable, and O'Riley has had a pretty ideal intermediate step at Celtic. That's given him some Champions League game time, as well as the responsibility of playing a central role in a title charge.