Liverpool have been handed a boost in their chase for Asier Illarramendi, who has been made to train with the reserves by current club Real Madrid, as reported by the Daily Star.
The Spain youth international made the switch to the Santiago Bernabeu last summer for a huge fee of €32.2 million, but has struggled to impose himself on the first team on a regular basis since that point.
The likes of Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez signed in the summer, making his route to the first team slightly more difficult too.
He has been joined in training with the reserves by Sami Khedira.
Liverpool have been frequently linked with a move for Illarramendi, and the player will almost certainly not be happy about being made to drop to a lesser squad.
This could open a route to a switch for the Anfield club, who require a defensive minded midfielder like Illarramendi.