Liverpool have strengthened defensive options by completing the signing of centre-backs Mamadou Sakho and Tiago Ilori for a combined fee of around £25m.

The Reds prioritised defensive recruitments this summer, following veteran Jamie Carragher's retirement and Sebastian Coates' long-term injury. The injury to Ivory Coast international Kolo Toure, a summer signing himself, further stretched Brendan Rodgers' defensive options.

Sakho, a 23-year-old France international, arrives from Ligue 1 giants Paris St Germain (PSG) in a reported £18m move.

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Liverpool defenders Sakho (left) and Ilori (right) with managing director Ian Ayre (centre). (Photo: Liverpool FC)
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"I'm delighted to be here. I'd like to thank everyone for the welcome. I came here because the project that is in place at Liverpool interests me. I'm really looking forward to cracking on with work and I can't wait to get on the pitch. I know the Liverpool fans are fantastic and while I was in France, it was clear for me to see they are amongst the best in England," Sakho said to his new club's website.

Meanwhile, Ilori joins from Sporting Lisbon for a fee around £7m. The 20-year-old has represented Portugal at youth levels but is still eligible to play for England, having been born in London to an English father.

"It feels great being a Liverpool player - coming to the Premier League has always been a dream for me. I'm going to try and achieve everything I can. I want to play as much as possible and we'll see what the future holds. I will give my all and try my best to help the team. Liverpool, have a great team and I think it's the place for me to be at the moment," Ilori said.

Liverpool have now signed seven players so far this summer, with Simon Mignolet, Iago Aspas, Luis Alberto, Toure and Aly Cissokho arriving before Sakho and Ilori.

The Reds are also expected to complete a loan move for Chelsea winger Victor Moses, who was at Anfield - alongside Sakho and Ilori - on Sunday to watch Liverpool beat Manchester United in the Premier League.

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