A transfer rumour linking Nathaniel Clyne with a move to Manchester City emerged on Thursday, sending Liverpool fans into panic.

The England right-back, 25, has played in all nine of the Reds’ Premier League matches this season, helping them to go level on points with leaders City.

The source of the story is something of a msytery, as it stands, but it is clear fans do not want to see one of their most consistent defenders sold to their league rivals.

Clyne has made 64 appearances in all competitions since moving to Anfield from Southampton in 2015 for a reported £12.5m fee.

City currently have right-backs Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta – both over 30 years old – sidelined with injury and the pair are out of contract at the end of the season.

But if they were to prize Clyne away from Merseyside, it would surely take a hefty fee and the majority of Liverpool fans do not want to see this deal happen – see some reaction from Twitter, below…

If Clyne leaves then I'll be so upset?

— Jack Geaney (@Jack_Geaney) October 27, 2016

We are on our way to something special under Klopp. Fans know it , and so do every players including Clyne.

— जय नेपाल (@Klopptimized) October 27, 2016

Why in the name of holy heaven would we sell clyne? Who do we have as a back up? Clyne is a top quality player and he fits with the team

— 2️⃣ (@ClearlyClyne) October 27, 2016

Selling Clyne would be a horrible decision.

— Adam (@Adam_LFC95) October 27, 2016

Maybe we can sell Clyne if City have a spare £70m floating around ????

— Stuart2Caven™© (@Stuart2Caven) October 27, 2016

£35m for Clyne? You'd have to be mental not to take that.

— Jim (@JimGreen_81) October 27, 2016

Clyne is going nowhere. He's a player like Milner used to be. Quietly does his business. Doesn't moan, does his job well. Irreplaceable. pic.twitter.com/uLlz2qvjaL

— Tom ~ (@JTom_LFC) October 27, 2016

No idea why anyone would want to sell Clyne.

— Luce D (@luced42) October 27, 2016