Liverpool swoop for French defender

With the news that Jamie Carragher has been ruled out of action for more than three months, Liverpool have moved quickly to identify some of the best young defenders in Europe.

Topping the list is French centre-back Adil Rami who impressed Hodgson with an assured performance in a recent friendly victory against England Wembley.

However, Lille are desperate to keep hold of the 24-year-old and have placed a £12 million price tag on the defender.

While the Ligue 1 club may listen to offers at the end of the season they are keen to hang on to their star player in January and are hopeful they can deter Liverpool from making a bid.

With Carragher out until the new year and Daniel Agger already out for the foreseeable future with a damaged calf, the Anfield club are keen to strengthen their depleted squad.

The Moroccan-born defender has started all 15 matches for Lille this season and has become a permanent fixture in the France defence under manager Laurent Blanc.

Another alternative for Hodgson could be Bolton defender Gary Cahill. The England international has been in impressive form and has courted interest from the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United.

With Bolton currently £90 million in debt, any substantial offer from Merseyside could see the defender sold to help ease the financial crisis.

Liverpool will have to move fast after Anfield medical cheif Dr Peter Brukner confirmed that Carragher could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines after option to have surgery on the dislocated shoulder.

"Not having the surgery leaves you with a very high risk of the dislocation happening again. We weren't prepared to take that risk."

The Reds play tomorrow night in the Europa League with rookie Danny Wilson likely to partner Sotirios Kyrgiakos for the trip to Romania to face Steaua Bucharest.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.