LIVERPOOL have targeted a move for Southampton centre-back Dejan Lovren and are preparing to bid for Bayern Munich's Xherdan Shaqiri as they bid to capitalise on their return to the Champions League.

Manager Brendan Rodgers has already had a £20million offer for Adam Lallana rejected and his St Mary's team-mate, Lovren, has now emerged as top of Liverpool's wanted list for defensive reinforcements.

Switzerland international Shaqiri, 22, and Lallana are similar players who can operate in a number of offensive roles. Bayern are braced for a bid in the region of £15m, which will leave England midfielder Lallana sweating over his dream move as it seems unlikely - though not impossible - that Brendan Rodgers will sign both.

Lallana has told Southampton that he wants to join Liverpool's English core, but technical director Les Reed has so far resisted, aware that Luke Shaw is a target for Manchester United and manager Mauricio Pochettino wanted by Tottenham.

Reed now faces a battle to prevent Croatia international Lovren, who scored the winning goal for Southampton at Anfield earlier this season, from departing as well.

Rodgers held a meeting with his scouts this week to discuss targets and has made no secret that he wants a new centre-back to help eradicate the defensive shortcomings that saw Liverpool concede 50 goals last season, only three fewer than 16th-placed Hull.

Lovren, 24, is the sort of leader that Rodgers believes he needs to organise his rearguard and help cut out the lapses of concentration that sometimes hurt them.

Liverpool are also keen on a left-back to provide competition for Jose Enrique and have identified Chelsea's Ryan Bertrand as their first choice.

Bertrand spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa and worked with Rodgers when he was head of Chelsea's youth set-up.

The difficulty for Liverpool will come in persuading a rival to sell given the success of Daniel Sturridge's move from Stamford Bridge. Seville's Alberto Moreno is among those being considered as an alternative.

The transfer work being conducted within a week of the end of the season highlights how Liverpool want to conclude their business early.

Rodgers is keen on signing Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm as a rival to Simon Mignolet and has checked on team-mate Wilfried Bony as well.

The Liverpool manager wants striking reinforcements ahead of the twin assault on the Champions League and Premier League next season, although Bony is not top of his list.

Source: Daily Express