Liverpool are planning a move for Manchester City defender Kolo Toure in the summer transfer window as manager Brendan Rodgers looks to find the ideal replacement for Jamie Carragher, who retired at the end of the season.
Carragher leaves a huge hole in the Liverpool defense following his departure and Rodgers had said it would be extremely difficult to find someone capable of filling the Liverpool legend's boots.
According to several reports in the British media, Rodgers has identified Toure as a good option, and Liverpool are lining up a free transfer with the former Arsenal defender out of contract at Manchester City.
It is understood, Toure would prefer a stay in the Premier League and with the futures of Martin Skrtel and Sebastian Coates still very much up in the air, it will be a decent buy for Liverpool.
While Liverpool have a policy of buying youngsters with sell-on value under owners FSG, the fact that Toure will not cost the club a transfer fee will be seen as an advantage.
Toure has not had the best of times off late at City, with the Ivory Coast international not getting too much playing time. However, the 32-year-old's experience in the Premier League is unquestionable, and he was one of the best defenders in the country during his time with Arsenal.
Meanwhile, skipper Steven Gerrard expects the club to bring in reinforcements in the summer transfer window as Liverpool look to improve upon the disappointing seventh-place finish of this season.
"Since January this team has shown a better level of consistency," he said. "We've shown Champions League form and there is a lot of optimism and positives to take into next season.
"Our target at the beginning of the season was fourth (place) and we have not delivered that - as players we need to take responsibility for that.
"We finished seventh in the league so there certainly needs to be a bit done. The preparation starts now for next year. I am sure the manager and staff are already preparing.
"All the other teams will strengthen and we can't afford to be left behind.
"I am sure the manager is already thinking about where he needs to strengthen the squad to make up that gap so we compete with the top four.
"It's down to us to continue what we've done in the last couple of months, take that into next season and try to improve."
