Liverpool Plan Move for Goalkeeper Karl Darlow from Nottingham Forest in January - Report

Karl Darlow has emerged a target for Brendan Rodgers as a backup for Simon Mignolet in the ongoing transfer window, according to the Daily Mirror.

The report says the Liverpool manager has been keeping an eye on the shot-stopper and had sent scouts to watch Darlow in action earlier this month.

The Northern Irishman reportedly wants to bring the Englishman to Anfield in order to keep his first choice goalkeeper on his toes, after witnessing recent mistakes from the Belgian international in recent matches.

The former Sunderland player misjudged Alvaro Negredo's shot during the Reds' 2-1 defeat against Manchester City. The 25-year-old also erred during their recent league fixtures against Stoke City and Aston Villa at Anfield which resulted in goals for the opposition.

Darlow has so far featured in all of Forest's 26 fixtures in the Championship maintaining nine clean sheets in the process.

However, any move for Forest's number one in the ongoing transfer window could be difficult as Billy Davies' side are in the running for promotion to the Premier League next season. They are currently fifth in the table after with 44 points 26 matches, eight less from second placed Queens Park Rangers.

The Reds currently have Brad Jones as a backup keeper, but the Australian has featured only once this season during the Merseyside club's 2-0 FA Cup third round victory against Oldham Athletic.

Pepe Reina, on a season-long loan at Napoli, is unlikely to settle for a place on the bench next season once his loan spell is over and may look elsewhere for first team opportunities.

However, the former Swansea manager could face competition from Tottenham Hotspur who are reportedly interested in signing the goalkeeper and then loan him back to Forest till the end of the season.

Earlier, the Daily Mirror had reported that Tim Sherwood is also interested in the services of Darlow, who could replace veteran goalkeeper Brad Friedel in the Spurs' squad next season. The American is 42 and it is unlikely that he may be offered an extension to his contract which expires at the end of the current campaign.

The north London club currently have Hugo Lloris and Friedel as first and second choice keepers. With Heurelho Gomes not being given a first-team opportunity, the Brazilian looks poised to exit the club after his agent stated that the 32-year-old must leave White Hart Lane for first-team action.