Liverpool are a defence short of being genuine title contenders in the Premier League. The Reds have conceded 23 goals in the first 20 games of the season, the joint-most along with Arsenal, among the top six.

But Jurgen Klopp seems to have his options very much open in the search for a new defender to solve their problems. The Reds manager has been rumoured to be considering a move for another centre-back to shore up his defence, heading into the New Year.

Hence, it comes as a very little surprise that Sports Witness are claiming Liverpool have made an offer to Lazio to secure the services of defender Stefan De Vrij.

Lazio are still working to tie down De Vrij on a long-term contract. The Dutch international has been in renewal talks for several months and despite an agreement being reported as imminent more than once, the Serie A club still haven’t got De Vrij to sign anything.

It will be a worrying situation for the Italian club as long as things drag on, with the defender’s contract set to expire in the summer. From January, De Vrij will be eligible to speak to non-Italian clubs and the Reds are looking to seize this opportunity by agreeing to personal terms with the player over a Bosman transfer to Anfield next summer.

There’d also be the possibility of the Reds agreeing on a cut-price deal with Lazio as the January window grows older.

The report adds the Dutchman has offers from Atletico Madrid and Barcelona as well. Lazio’s rivals Juventus are also believed to be interested in De Vrij, but the player is keen to move outside of Serie A due to his loyalty to the Rome-based club.

De Vrij would also be an asset for Klopp, thanks to his comfort in playing out from the back. The Lazio man is adept and intelligent on the ball, as well as being decisive in the air.

The 25-year-old centre-back is the kind of player Klopp could build a more stable back four around. He would be the ideal complement to Joel Matip or Ragnar Klavan as the Dutchman’s entry could put Dejan Lovren’s Anfield career in jeopardy.