Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is ready to end his pursuit of Schalke defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos.

The Guardian says the manager is prepared to consider alternatives to his leading central-defensive target, Papadopoulos, should Schalke attempt to start an auction.

Liverpool value the 21-year-old in the region of £12m but reports in Bild on Wednesday claim his club are now demanding €22.5m.

Sporting Lisbon's Tiago Ilori is likely to be Rodgers' next target.