Liverpool targeting summer move for AS Roma star Miralem Pjanic as a replacement for Steven Gerrard

Liverpool are reportedly considering a move for AS Roma star Miralem Pjanic as a replacement for Steven Gerrard.

According to talkSPORT, the Reds are already compiling a list of midfielders, who can come in once Gerrard departs in the summer and the Bosnian is said to feature at the top of the list of possible replacements.

Earlier this month, the former Three Lions skipper announced his decision to leave the Merseyside club and move to the United States of America in the summer. He is set to join Major League Soccer (MLS) club LA Galaxy.

Brendan Rodgers has identified Pjanic as a player who can replace the current skipper and will try and sign him following the conclusion of the current Premier League campaign.

Roma will be reluctant to sell Pjanic, who is an important part of their squad, but the report claims that the Serie A club's hierarchy can be convinced with a bid in the region of £25m for the midfielder contracted until the summer of 2018.

Apart from Liverpool, Premier League rivals Manchester United were also linked with a move for the midfielder during the summer transfer window, but the Roma president insisted that the former Lyon midfielder was not for sale.

Meanwhile, the Northern Irishman has praised striker Daniel Sturridge, who is in the final stage of his recovery from calf and thigh injuries he suffered early on in the season.

"He's a top-class player that has got a wonderful idea of the game and wonderful qualities. You put him into any team and it makes them a better team," Rodgers said, as quoted on Liverpool's official site.

"His pace is frightening, his touch, his movement; he has come here and also improved the defensive part of his game in order to press well - he does that very, very well. As a footballer, he is at a great age. We're hoping that he can stay fit and lead the charge for us over the next few years," the Reds boss added.