Liverpool have signed two players from Southampton already this summer – Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana – but it seems like the Reds manager Brendan Rodgers wants the Saints’ defender Dejan Lovren to join him at the Anfield club as well.

The 24-year-old Croatian defender joined Southampton last season on a four-year-contract and made 31 league appearances, scoring two goals, including a late winner at Anfield against Liverpool.

Having conceded 50 goals in 38 matches last season, Liverpool are keen to plug the holes in defence this time around and Rodgers aims to resolve that problem in coming weeks.

According to Tony Barrett of The Times, Lovren has been identified as Liverpool’s main target, with Rodgers keen to sign a defender having leadership qualities, something the Reds heavily missed last season.

Southampton have slapped an asking price of £15m for the defender, who they signed for £8.5m from Lyon last season. Liverpool are expected to lodge a formal bid in coming weeks for the Croatian, who is also a reported target of both North London clubs Arsenal and Tottenham. 

Liverpool are also thought to be interested in signing the Chelsea left-back Ryan Bertrand while are confident of wrapping up a deal for the 19-year-old Belgium striker Divock Origi as well.