Liverpool are launching a bid for Schalke defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos. The Liverpool Echo says the Reds are set to launch a £12million bid to sign Papadopoulos.

The Reds have identified the 21-year-old Greek international as their No 1 target to replace Jamie Carragher.

Papadopoulos missed the second half of the Bundesliga season after undergoing surgery on his left knee back in December but has now recovered and Liverpool have no concerns over his long-term fitness.