Liverpool are reportedly scouting alternatives for RB Leipzig's Dayot Upamecano, particularly Borussia Dortmund's Manuel Akanji, as they look to enforce their relatively lack of depth in their back-line.
The 25-year-old has been a regular at the back for Dortmund this season, featuring in all but two of the German club's top flight games so far.
Liverpool have identified Akanji as a potential alternative to Upamecano, with the latter being wanted by numerous clubs around Europe.
Whilst RB Leipzig's price tag for Upamecano is relatively low at £35 million, Liverpool do not want to be held for ransom over negotiations for the Frenchman, and are keen to get him for less in January, but will settle for other options if they are not able to.
Dortmund are set to demand a much lower transfer fee for Akanji when compare to Upamecano's, with the Swiss international's future at the German club being in doubt after the dismissal of former manager Lucien Favre earlier this month.
Akanji moved to Dortmund in 2018 after a very good spell with FC Basel in his own country.
Jurgen Klopp is very keen on recruiting a new defender to make sure that Liverpool are ready for everything for the rest of the season, after suffering numerous notable injuries at the back, mainly to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, with both of them being sidelined with long-term injuries.
Fabinho has slotted in at the back, whilst out of favour Joel Matip, and fringe player Nathaniel Phillips have tried to impress Klopp on their chance, but are not enough to form a back-line worthy of winning the Premier League.
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