Sources: Brentford make El Hadji Malick Diouf decision after Liverpool news

Liverpool are monitoring Brentford left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, but the Bees value him well above the £40m they paid West Ham and are unlikely to sell in the next 12 months.

Liverpool have identified Brentford left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf as a target as they prepare for Kostas Tsimikas's likely departure at the end of the season. The Senegal international, 21, has emerged as a firm admirer at Anfield, but Brentford are determined to resist any approach.

The Bees paid a club-record £40 million to sign Diouf from West Ham last summer and already value him significantly higher. Sources say Brentford have "big aspirations" for the starlet and are unlikely to sell in the next 12 months, despite Liverpool's interest.

Liverpool's full-back areas have been a persistent problem, with concerns over Milos Kerkez's consistency adding to their search. However, Diouf appears out of reach for now, and the club are exploring other options to strengthen their backline ahead of the January window and summer transfer market.