Liverpool have been encouraged in their pursuit of Schalke defender Joel Matip.

Liverpool are on red alert as Matip has turned down a new deal with the Bundesliga club.

His deal expires at the end of the season, and the 23-year-old is on Jurgen Klopp's radar, says the Daily Star.

The defender is understood to be high on the Reds' priority list, as they look to tighten up at the back.