Liverpool Plan Summer Bid For Tottenham Star Jan Vertonghen - Report

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is likely to bolster his defence at the end of the season and according to reports he is considering making a summer bid for Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Jan Vertonghen.

Despite their comprehensive 3-0 victory over Southampton, the Reds defenders have struggled this season having conceded 35 goals in 28 games, more than any other of their rivals in the title race.

According to Daily Mail, Rodgers has earmarked Vertonghen as the man to solve his defensive issues with the Liverpool boss looking to strengthen his side with the prospect of Champions League football next season an increasingly likely prospect.

Rodgers has failed to find a consistent centre-back pairing this season in Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel, Mamadou Sakho and Kolo Toure after deciding to send Tiago Ilori on loan to Granada during the January transfer window.

Vertonghen has been a pivotal player for Tottenham since he moved to Withe Hart Lane in the summer of 2012, but he recently revealed that he may consider a move elsewhere should Tim Sherwood's side miss out on Champions League qualification.

"Those are always difficult questions," Vertonghen said last week. "What I want is to be playing in the Champions League with Tottenham, so I hope we get in this year.

"Do I have a decision to make if we don't? I can't say anything about that. Let's see after the end of the season, after the World Cup. I can't say anything about that so let's see after the end of the season and after the World Cup."

Despite Tottenham's win over Cardiff City on Sunday, the Spurs are considered outsiders for qualification for next season's Champions League with the club still four points adrift of fourth placed Manchester City, who still have two games in hand.

Apart from Liverpool, the Belgium international has been heavily linked with Spanish giant Barcelona since last summer.