With the Reds set to embark on a huge few months in the transfer market, we look at five moves the Merseyside giants are hoping to conclude before the new campaign gets under way in August …
SEE ALSO: The best managers in world football
Dejan Lovren (Southampton)
It is expected that Liverpool head coach Brendan Rodgers will offload vice-captain Daniel Agger this summer and if that is to be the case, then the Northern Irishman will need to purchase a new centre back to take over from the Denmark international in the heart of the Reds’ back four next season.
And by all accounts the man that the Northern Irishman has identified to take on that role on Merseyside is the Saints’ highly rated Croatia international, says the Liverpool Echo, with Lovren having just enjoyed a fine campaign at the back for the south coast club, the 24-year-old’s first ever season in the Premier League following an £8.5m switch from Ligue 1 giants Lyon last summer.
Michael Vorm (Swansea City)
The Liverpool boss is also said to be keen to lure a new back-up keeper to Anfield this summer in order to provide some much-needed competition for current No 1 Simon Mignolet between the posts on Merseyside next season.
And according to the Liverpool Echo, Rodgers is now lining up a move for the Swans’ Netherlands international, a player who Rodgers actually first brought to England after signing Vorm from Eredivisie outfit Utrecht while in charge at the Liberty Stadium three years ago.
Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich)
If recent stories in the Daily Mail are to be believed, then with Southampton now said to be demanding a transfer fee of £30m for their coveted skipper Adam Lallana, then the Reds will now switch their focus elsewhere to cheaper midfield options for next season, and that means that Rodgers may now move for Bayern’s brilliant Switzerland international instead.
The Liverpool coach has been keeping close tabs on the little playmaker for quite some time now and with Shaqiri having only bee used as a bit-part player at the Allianz Arena, there is a real confidence at Anfield that the player can be lured to Merseyside for next season.
Emre Can (Bayer Leverkusen)
Liverpool appear to be closing in on a £12m deal for the coveted Germany Under-21 international, reports the Daily Mail, with the Premier League giants having been working on a move for the starlet for some time now.
However, with the 20-year-old having a much-publicised release clause in his current deal with the Bundesliga side valued at £12m, the Reds are expected to shortly tie up the transfer of the holding midfielder who will replace the Inter Milan-bound Lucas Leiva in the role at Anfield next season.
Alberto Moreno (Sevilla)
Liverpool are not the only big-name club at present said to be keen on signing the new Spain international, with Premier League rivals Chelsea also known to be interested in the 21-year-old as well as a replacement for their own departing left-back Ashley Cole.
However, with the Blues said to prefer either Southampton’s Luke Shaw or Atletico Madrid’s Luis Filipe, the path has now been cleared for the Merseysiders to therefore make their own move for the Spaniard, who is likely to cost the Reds as much as £18m to purchase this summer, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Find out who are the most valuable players in world football.