Liverpool transfer news: Reds enter race to sign Corinthians' Alexandre Pato along with Manchester United

Liverpool have entered the race to sign Corinthians forward Alexandre Pato along with Manchester United and Chelsea. The Brazilian is keen to return to Europe following a spell in his homeland and is confident that he can be a success in the English Premier League.

According to the Independent, the Brazilian club are keen to get the former AC Milan forward off their wage bill and will consider offers from interested suitors. The Merseyside club are keen on adding more firepower to their forward line in the wake of their latest injury crisis and are ready to meet the strikers £11m ($16m) valuation.

Jurgen Klopp is struggling to field a full strength squad with 13 first-team stars sidelined with injuries, and his forward line looks depleted with Christian Benteke being the only fit striker at the moment. Danny Ings, Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge are injured and are not likely to return to the senior squad before the end of the month. The Reds welcome Arsenal and Manchester United to Anfield for their next two Premier League clashes and the results of those games could have a bearing on their ability to finish in the top four this season.

Liverpool, however, will find it difficult to sign the forward as arch rivals United are also keen on adding a striker during the ongoing January transfer window. Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial have struggled for consistent form this season with the former managing just three goals in 16 league appearances, while the latter has scored five in 14 starts.

Corinthians are open to letting Pato leave this month following his return from a loan spell with Sao Paulo, where he scored 19 goals in 59 appearances and the striker seems ready to return to Europe. Pato has revealed his admiration for the Premier League and admitted to having conversations with his compatriots Willian and Philippe Coutinho, who ply their trade in the English top-flight with Chelsea and Liverpool respectively.

"I like the emotion in the English league. You look at the TV and you see the stadium and the fans. I remember that when we played Arsenal, they were very strong and very fast. My special thing is my speed. I'm fast. I think that's good because the football here is very quick," Pato said, as quoted by the Independent.

"I don't think the physical part of English football would be a problem. When you get the ball, you need to be ready. The defenders here are very tough but I like that. I have spoken to Willian, Firmino, Coutinho and David Luiz before. I think Brazilian players can play here. You mix talent and intelligence and Brazilian players can play here," the Brazil international added.