Richard Hughes told 3 center-backs Liverpool should target including Man Utd wildcard

Liverpool has an obvious area to target for transfers, and sporting director Richard Hughes has been given three names to consider, including a surprise suggestion

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes(Image: Getty Images)

Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann has named three players Liverpool should be targeting - including one shock suggestion from Manchester United.

Although no major signings have been made by the Reds so far in the January transfer window - and Arne Slot has suggested that will remain the case as the February 2 deadline approaches - there are some obvious areas for the club to bolster, not least the defense.

There have been calls for Liverpool to dip into the market this month, although Marc Guehi is now out of the question after completing a move to Manchester City. With options running low at the back though, it’s clear that sporting director Richard Hughes will have to address the defense soon.

The Reds were without Ibrahima Konate and the injured Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni for Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Qarabag on Wednesday, leaving Virgil van Dijk as the only senior center-back available.

There has been no shortage of defenders being linked with a move to Anfield, with Rennes’ Jeremy Jacquet being touted recently. It’s another two rumored targets that have caught Hamann’s eye though.

“Micky van de Ven is doing really well for Spurs and there’s a player at Dortmund, Nico Schlotterbeck,” Hamann told CasinoBeats. “He’s in talks with the club on whether he’s going to extend his contract.

Liverpool has been linked with Nico Schlotterbeck(Image: Getty Images)

“Schlotterbeck has really taken on a leading role at Dortmund in the last 18 months. He is probably our best center-back in the national team. He’ll certainly play at the World Cup for Germany.

“He'd be a player. He's got one year left on the contract. I'm sure that Liverpool inquired about him. He wouldn't be the worst choice. He's a left-footed player as well.”

Hamann also threw another name into the mix, although the likelihood of his third suggestion moving to Liverpool is up for serious debate, having suggested the Reds should consider signing Manchester United’s Harry Maguire.

The England international is set to be out of contract this summer, which could see him become available for free, and despite his links with Liverpool’s biggest rival, Hamann feels he is worth a look.

"You’ve got to give it to Harry Maguire because he got so much stick in the last few years and he always comes back,” Hamann said.

Liverpool has been told to pursue a sensational transfer for Harry Maguire(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

“If he’s available on a free, then [you] obviously have to think about it because I think what Liverpool need is more depth at the back.”

Liverpool.com says: Well, let’s just rule Maguire out straight away. Even if you ignore the United connection, he’ll be turning 33 in just over a month, and everyone knows he isn’t the sort of defender Liverpool would look at.

Van de Ven and Schlotterbeck are much better shouts, the latter in particular. Van de Ven has had his fair share of injuries, which would place some doubt over him as an option, but Liverpool should definitely be looking at Schlotterbeck if there is an opportunity to sign him.