Liverpool are ready to rival Chelsea for the signature of Real Madrid left-back Fabio Coentrao.

The Reds are expected to be one of the busier teams during the summer transfer window, and have already been linked with a host of names including Swansea defender Ashley Williams and Paris Saint Germain pair Jeremy Menez and Kevin Gameiro.

Brendan Rodgers is looking to strengthen his defense for next season, and could make a move for Portuguese international Coentrao.

The left-back found it hard going to get into the Real lineup for much of the season, although he has come back into favor with Jose Mourinho over the last couple of months.

Despite that there is a good possibility that Coentrao might leave at the end of the season, with Chelsea seen as one of the more likely destinations.

The Blues still need to find a long-term replacement for Ashley Cole, and Coentrao would fit that bill.

Real have slapped a transfer fee of £18 million ($27 million) on Coentrao, and Liverpool could use with some competition for Jose Enrique, although the amount could pose a problem.

Manchester City are also interested in the defender, and could make a move if they are able to offload some of their high-earning members.

Meanwhile, midfielder Jordan Henderson has insisted Liverpool will not give up the fight for a top four place in the English Premier League, despite their Champions League hopes fading following their poor 3-1 defeat to Southampton at the weekend.

"It was a big disappointment against Southampton but Europe's not gone yet," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"We've still got eight games to play and that's a lot of points to play for. We've still got to play some of the teams above us so we have to keep going.

"We have to pick ourselves up from this and ensure we respond positively against Aston Villa after the international break."