Liverpool continue to be linked with Newcastle United skipper Fabricio Coloccini.

The Daily Star says Toon's skipper has yet to sign an extension, with less than 18 months left on his current £65,000-a-week deal.

That has alerted Liverpool, with the Reds' director of football Damien Comolli personally checking on the Argentina star, whose form has played a big part in the Magpies' unbeaten start to the campaign, which has put them third top.

Boss Alan Pardew is keen to keep the skipper - even though Newcastle have tabled reduced terms to one of the highest paid players on their staff.

In return, they are offering a long-term deal that would take the former AC Milan star, 29, virtually to the end of his career.