Rumour: Liverpool line up double swoop for Schalke’s Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Sporting’s Marco Rojo

Liverpool have long been linked with Papadopoulos

Liverpool are reportedly in the market for defenders this season and have lined up a double swoop in the summer for both Schalke’s Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Marco Rojo, currently plying his trade for Sporting Lisbon, according to the Express.

Liverpool are currently on course for their first league title in 24 years as they sit top of the table with three games to go, but it has been their forwards that have earned the platitudes, with their defensive record the worst of the top four and worse than the likes of Crystal Palace and Hull.

Brendan Rodgers has already suggested that he will be in the market to bring new defenders to Liverpool and has made his targets clear for summer shopping.

Papadopoulos has been a long-term target for Liverpool, with only a serious knee injury stopping the Reds from pressing ahead with their move for the Greek centre-back, as they eventually settled on Mamadou Sakho.

However, with Daniel Agger looking increasingly likely to push for a move away from Anfield in the summer – Napoli are reportedly keen – they could make another move for a player in the central defensive options and could renew their interest in the Schalke defender, after he impressed since coming back into the team.

Rojo on the other hand is a target to fulfill the problematic left-back role for Liverpool – who are currently fielding right-back Jon Flanagan out of position – with the Sporting defender having broken into the Argentina squad in time for a likely appearance at the World Cup this summer.