Liverpool Begin Negotiations With Derby To Secure Loan Move For England Prospect - Report

Liverpool have begun negotiations to send Andre Wisdom on loan to Derby in order for the youngster to demonstrate his abillity with regular first team football in the Championship.

Brendan Rodgers insisted last week that many of his younger players are not yet ready to go out on loan but it would appear that he thinks Wisdom is up to the task after he made 21 appearances for the Reds across the 2012-13 season.

So far in the current campaign Wisdom has appeared three times under and the 20 year old looks to be in the manager's plans for the future.

But at Derby he would receive much more regular football, and the Metro are claiming that the side are currently close to an agreement to take the youngster to Pride Park.

Derby are hopeful of being in the mix for the Championship playoffs come the end of the season and are currently eighth in the table and just three points off the top six.

Coming off two consecutive wins against Leeds United and Watford the club are in good spirits and to have a player with Premier League experience will be a welcome boost for Steve McClaren's men.

Rodgers confirmed in September that he would be sending Wisdom on loan at some point this season, telling reporters: "I just think the position that he plays, it's preferable if you have that wee bit of experience.

"We introduced him into the team last season at right-back and he did very well as a young player stepping in. He was excellent every time he played.

"He played centre-half mostly throughout pre-season and I think that will be his No.1 position. But in order to do that, especially at a big club, that wee bit of experience comes in."

The move to Derby could serve to have an extra bonus for Liverpool, with the club currently targeting one of the side's promising youngsters in Will Hughes.

Barcelona and Manchester United are also believed to be interested in the 18 year old midfielder but the Reds have reportedly already had a bid rejected for his signature.

However, opening negotiations with Derby over Wisdom could help them build a relationship with the Championship club so that they are top of the list when they decide to cash-in on Hughes.