Liverpool have enquired about the availability of Eintracht Frankfurt defender Carlos Zambrano, as Brendan Rodgers looks to fill the void set to be left by the retirement of Jamie Carragher at the end of the season.
The Reds are expected to be one of the busier clubs in the summer transfer window, with the center-back position one of the key roles expected to be strengthened.
While Carragher will hang up his boots come the end of the season, the future of Martin Skrtel is also up in the air after the Slovak's demotion to the bench in recent games.
Daniel Agger is reportedly on the radar of Barcelona, while Sebastian Coates is yet to convince he can cut it in the English Premier League.
Liverpool have therefore been linked with several defenders, including Ashley Williams of Swansea and Angelo Ogbonna of Torino, but Zambrano, instead, could be the first one to move to Anfield.
Bruno Hubner, a direct at Eintracht Frankfurt, claimed Liverpool had asked about the possibility of buying the 23-year-old.
"There's interest from Liverpool in Carlos Zambrano," Hubner said. "They have asked about him, but there has not been an offer yet."
Zambrano was a part of the youth setup at Schalke before moving to St Pauli in 2010. The Peru international has been a vital part of the Frankfurt side that have done so well in the Bundesliga this season and has been a really asset since moving to the club in the summer of 2012.
Meanwhile, Stewart Downing has backed the Luis Suarez-Daniel Sturrudge partnership to cause Tottenham all sorts of problems when the two sides meet in the English Premier League Sunday.
Sturridge has not played any part for Liverpool since February 17, with a slight injury and his ineligibility in the Europa League causing him to miss several games.
The former Chelsea man has built a good understanding with Suarez ever since making his move to Anfield in January and Downing believes the duo could be set to sparkle yet again against Spurs.
"We can't keep relying on Luis for goals and you need someone else to chip in," Downing said.
"I think Daniel has been a good signing for us and although we missed him against Wigan, in the games he has played he gives us something different.
"The way they play, he (Sturridge) is on the (center-back's) shoulder with Luis coming off, they are a nightmare for defenders.
"If we can get a good partnership with them going then we have a chance."
