Rumour: Liverpool eye Sporting Lisbon defender Marcos Rojo

Brendan Rodgers

Liverpool are planning to bolster their defensive options with a summer move for versatile Sporting Lisbon defender Marcos Rojo, report the Metro.

The Argentinian, who has 20 senior caps for his national side, is comfortable at either left-back or centre-back and has earned rave reviews following a string of impressive performances for Leonardo Jardim’s side this season.

The defender has enjoyed a low key career in Europe, with his only other experience on the continent coming via a spell with Spartak Moscow before he joined the Portuguese outfit.

However, with a £25 million release clause inserted into his contract, the Merseysiders will not be able to purchase him on the cheap.

Rojo has been linked with Arsenal in the past and has attracted interest from a number of outfits throughout the campaign, with speculation set to intensify if he earns a place in Argentina’s World Cup squad.

Kop chief Brendan Rodgers is keen to add several new recruits to his squad ahead of their Champions League campaign next season, with the lack of a tight knit defensive unit widely believed to have cost them the chance to win a maiden Premier League crown.

Earlier this week, Liverpool squandered a three goal lead at Crystal Palace to hand the initiative in the title race back to Manchester City in the latest episode of defensive mishaps that have cost the northern Irishman’s side points this season.

Marcos Rojo has earned seven yellow and two red cards in 23 appearances for Sporting Lisbon this season. Feisty.