Liverpool hero Ray Houghton is backing their bid for Southampton defender Dejan Lovren.
Liverpool have agreed a £20m transfer package with Southampton for the Croatia centre-back.
The Reds will pay £16m up front for Lovren, with a further £4m based upon appearances.
"I think Liverpool will be very competitive. I'd still like them to bringing a few more defenders," Houghton told Sky Sports.
"I know Lovren is one of those from Southampton and I think he'd be a great addition.
"I looked at him a lot last season. I think he's a very good defender and Liverpool need defensive options. They didn't win the title last season not because they didn't score enough goals but because they didn't defend well enough in the last four games of the season.
"The great Liverpool sides of old used to win games 1-0. Not 3-2 after losing 2-1. They would put up a defensive shield and protect what they had and that is something Liverpool will learn year after year."
