By Wayne Veysey

14th Aug, 2023 | 8:28am

Sources: Liverpool in late move to sign defender - top target revealed

Liverpool have not abandoned plans to sign a defender before the transfer window shuts despite prioritising the capture of a midfield anchorman, sources have told Football Insider.

The Merseysiders are assessing potential defender signing options and, should an opportunity arise, they are expected to make a late move to bring in reinforcements.

This comes while Jurgen Klopp and the club’s recruitment team are working overtime to sign the specialist defensive midfielder that Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea showed once again the club so badly need.

Nevertheless, it is believed the Reds are keen to press on with a move for a new centre-back.

Sporting CP and Portugal ace Goncalo Inacio remains on the shortlist amid reports in his homeland that he has a £39million release clause.

Virgil van Dijk, 32, and Ibrahima Konate, 24, were the chosen centre-back pairing at Stamford Bridge on Sunday with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson either side of the pair.

Joel Matip and Joe Gomez were unused substitutes against Chelsea but both had poor 2022-23 campaigns in which they made a series of high-profile clangers when filling in for the first-choice central defensive duo.

Liverpool’s two signings to date both started the Premier League opener.

Alongside Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool have also continued their midfield rebuild with the signing of World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton.

Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, James Milner, Fabio Carvalho, Calvin Ramsey, Rhys Williams, Roberto Firmino and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have all sealed Anfield exits this summer.

In other news, Liverpool to smash record after £200million FSG payout.