Mark Lawrenson: Pepe Reina May Leave in the Summer

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson believes there could be a major overhaul of the Reds defence in the summer with Sebastian Coates and Pepe Reina both leaving the club.

Brendan Rodgers would already have been looking at signing a defender after hearing the decision of Jamie Carragher to retire at the end of the season, but Lawrenson feels as though he may not be the only player leaving the club.

"Maybe the time has come for a defensive overhaul at Liverpool," Lawrenson wrote in his column on the Liverpool Daily Post. "Brendan Rodgers has struggled to find the right formula at the back this season, and can expect to be busy in the transfer window this summer.

"The imminent retirement of Jamie Carragher is the obvious major change. But it's likely Sebastian Coates will be allowed to leave and Rodgers clearly doesn't seem too sweet on Martin Skrtel.

"Throw in the continued speculation over Pepe Reina's future and there is scope for a natural changing of the guard."

While Coates has struggled to force his way into the Liverpool side, Skrtel has come in for criticism for his performances in recent months and there has been a suggestion that Rodgers is not the biggest fan of the Slovakian.

Liverpool do have two promising young central defenders in Martin Kelly and Andre Wisdom but Lawrenson feels as though Rodgers may look to his former club to try and find a suitably reliable centre-back.

However, he remains cautious over such an approach. "Ashley Williams is one name being mentioned, and while he has done a fine job at Swansea City, there is no guarantee he could do the same at Liverpool. It's a bit different being a centre-back at Swansea than it is at a leading club."

Lawrenson, who was a mainstay in the Liverpool defence for close to eight years, also stated his belief that Reina would leave in the summer and that Swansea stopper Michel Vorm would be the ideal replacement.

"I also get the impression Pepe Reina could leave in the summer," added Lawrenson. "I wouldn't criticise him for that. He has been brilliant for Liverpool but maybe it is time for him to move on. But how difficult is it nowadays to find a top goalkeeper? Look at the problems Manchester United have been having.

"Michel Vorm is one that could fit the bill but Rodgers will have to be careful going back and signing lots of Swansea players. He already has two, and neither have been better than average."