Liverpool Look to Loan Benfica Defender - Report

Liverpool will bid for Benfica defender Lorenzo Melgarejo, according to the Mail Online. The 22-year-old Paraguayan international is expected to provide the cover and squad depth Brendan Rodgers feels is needed in the left-back position.

The report claims Anfield chiefs want to sign the South American on loan first, with an option to buy if he impresses in his first season in the Premier League. As of now, Rodgers has only Spaniard Luis Enrique and England U21 International Jack Robinson at left-back.

There is also talk of a move for Valencia's Aly Cissokho. The Express believes the 25-year-old Frenchman is interested in a possible move to Anfield and that a season-long loan deal is a possibility; the Reds would pay £900,000 now and a future fee of £3.5m.

However, while the Cissokho deal remains an unknown factor, a move for Melgajero has its own problems. The Paraguayan will need a work permit to play in the Premier League and that could be a problem, since he has only one full international cap.

Rodgers' defensive options could be further strengthened by the arrival of Greek international Kyriakos Papadopoulos. The Schalke 04 centre-back could be available for £12m and is, on paper, an excellent replacement for the retired Jamie Carragher.

However, the former Swansea City manager has ruled out a bid for central defenders, for now. Rodgers says he is impressed with Ivory Coast international Kolo Toure's performance in pre-season and is willing to see how he settles into his Liverpool career; the 32-year-old signed on a free from Manchester City.

Liverpool return to England on Monday, after a successful pre-season tour of Asia. They beat the Thailand national team 3-0 on Sunday, after wins against Indonesia and Australian A-League side Melbourne Victory.

Rodgers now faces friendlies against Greek side Olympiakos (3 August), Norwegian club Valerenga (7 August) and Scottish giants Celtic (10 August) before opening the 2013/14 Premier League campaign at home to Stoke City on 17 August.