Liverpool are getting SERIOUS about buying a new centre-half this month.

The Sunday World says Liverpool are 'actively pursuing' a host of targets as they look to end solve their defensive crisis in this month's transfer window.

Club insiders have claimed they do not expect to make any major signings this month, but several prominent agents are aware of interest in their players, with Lille defender Sven Botman and Brighton's Ben White among those on the Liverpool watchlist.

Klopp and the club's transfer committee have opted to target youthful performers who rather than experienced defenders, with an eye on the new arrival being groomed as a successor to the injury-prone Joel Matip.

While sources close to Botman have indicated Liverpool have expressed an interest in signing him this month, Manchester United now look set to join the race for a player who has been compared to Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.

Botman moved to Lille for just €8m and he could now we sold for four times that amount, with some of Europe's top clubs eyeing up moves.