Liverpool Transfer Rumour: Rodgers Lines up German Signing

Liverpool are believed to be keen on signing German midfielder Lewis Holtby on a free transfer, next summer. The 22-year-old German international now plays for Bundesliga side Schalke 04, who will visit England on 24 October to play Arsenal in a Champions League group stage game.

Holtby, whose father is from Merseyside, was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in the summer. A Sky Sports report suggested Arsenal, Everton and Manchester United, in addition to the Reds, were all interested in signing the player. However, at the time, there was no concrete approach from any of the interested clubs and although Holtby admitted he was interested in playing in England, he remained focused on his Schalke career.

The player's contract is due to expire at the end of this season and he could be available for approximately £5m in January, according to a Goal.com report. That report also suggests the German club is likely to want to hold on to their star till the end of the season, even if it means he leaves on a free transfer.

Liverpool are understood to be actively searching for proven goalscorers, after a long-term injury robbed new manager Brendan Rodgers of Italy's Fabio Borini and the club failed to replace England international Andy Carroll, who left Anfield for West Ham on a season-long loan.

"Liverpool only really have their eyes on a goalscorer when it comes to signings in January after missing out on deadline day in summer," a source told Goal.com.

The Reds continue to be linked with Arsenal's Theo Walcott (whose contract situation at the Emirates continues to drag on), Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge (whom the club tried to loan in the summer) and, more recently, Aston Villa striker Darren Bent, after reports emerged he had fallen out with manager Paul Lambert.

First Home Win

Meanwhile, Liverpool have finally won a league game at home. A first senior team goal from England youngster Raheem Sterling gave Rodgers' side an ultimately deserved 1-0 win over Reading on Saturday.

"It was a wonderful finish because he was going away from the goal, and he's got a quick defender tracking him. He's a terrific talent and he's got a good head on young shoulders," the former Swansea City manager told the club's website after the game, adding, on the importance of the win, "It's been a long time coming, we should have had three points here long before today. But on the back of an international break and players travelling all over the world, I thought it was a terrific performance."