Liverpool ponder loan move for Real Madrid defender Fabio Coentrao

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is exploring the possibility of signing Portugal and Real Madrid defender Fabio Coentrao on loan to shore up his defence.

Citing Catalan daily Sport, the Daily Telegraph says Coentrao, 28, could provide a much-needed alternative to left-back Alberto Moreno for the Reds.

Moreno was roundly criticised for his performance in Liverpool's 4-3 win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on 14 August.

The Spaniard conceded a penalty by fouling Theo Walcott in the first half – which was saved by Simon Mignolet – before being caught out of position for the England international's opener a minute later.

Coentrao spent last season on loan at Monaco and is sidelined with a hamstring injury until October.

Liverpool's hopes of signing the Portuguese defender rest on whether Real can sign a left-back in the final weeks of the transfer window to provide back-up to Marcelo.

Spanish daily Marca claims Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is happy to wait on Coentrao to return from injury and that there will no new arrivals in the transfer window.

Moreno criticism

Moreno has been under fire since his defensive horror show in last season's Europa League final against Sevilla in May, with former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher urging Klopp to "sign a f****** left-back".

Gary Neville and other television pundits were scathing in their assessment of the Spaniard's defending against Arsenal on 14 August.

"You might as well start a goal down with Moreno at left-back," Neville was quoted as saying by the Liverpool Echo.

Former Reds captain Graeme Souness added: "He's having a stinker. He's a winger playing at left-back, he doesn't sense danger early enough."

Liverpool were linked with a move for Leicester City full-back Ben Chilwell earlier this summer, but the 19-year-old signed a new contract at the King Power Stadium.

Joe Gomez and James Milner can both play at left-back but are currently out injured.