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Cologne keeper Timo Horn being linked to Liverpool is 'normal' - agent

The agent of Cologne goalkeeper Timo Horn has played down speculation linking his client with a move to Liverpool, describing it as "just normal."

Horn, 21, is currently in his third season at the Bundesliga club, and following two years in the second tier, the homegrown youngster has so far enjoyed an impressive start to his top-flight career.

He has only conceded seven goals in his first nine league games, while he could help Cologne set a new record for a newly-promoted team on Sunday against Freiburg.

They have already equalled the record of least goals conceded after nine games, joining Bayern Munich's 1965-66 side and Arminia Bielefeld's 2004-05 team. Both clubs, however, conceded goals in their 10th game, and a clean sheet for Horn on Sunday would hand the record to Cologne.

On Tuesday, Horn also saved two penalties in a shootout at MSV Duisburg in the DFB-Pokal to take his side into the next round.

His performances have not gone unnoticed in England, with the Liverpool Echo earlier this week naming the goalkeeper as a possible target for Liverpool.

The Reds have been linked with a new goalkeeper, with Simon Mignolet having struggled for clean sheets this term and Pepe Reina having left for Bayern in the summer.

"It's just normal that the youngest Bundesliga keeper is monitored by clubs abroad," Horn's agent Volker Struth told kicker.

Cologne, however, are keen to keep hold of a player who came through the ranks of their youth academy.

"We are in good talks and hope to reach an agreement before the winter break," sporting director Jorg Schmadkte told kicker about their plans to extend Horn's contract, which is currently due to expire in 2016.