There are some stunned looks around the Football Transfer Tavern this evening as Mail Online report that Liverpool are close to bringing Aston Villa outcast Shay Given to Anfield as their new second choice goalkeeper.
Reds manager is searching for an experienced back up for summer arrival Simon Mignolet, who replaced Pepe Reina at Anfield in a £9 million move, and has reportedly outlined a bargain move for the 37-year-old Irish veteran.
The former Newcastle United shot stopper has been told that he has no future at his current club by manager Paul Lambert despite remaining one the club’s highest paid players and had previously been linked with a loan switch to Championship outfit Doncaster Rovers.
Brad Jones is currently number two to Mignolet but Rodgers does not believe that the Australian is a suitable back up for a team chasing European football and instead thinks that the former Republic of Ireland international could prove a stronger understudy.
The Liverpool boss is also desperate to add defensive reinforcements before the transfer window closes on Monday, after summer signings Kolo Toure and Aly Cissokho picked up injuries during their Capital One Cup victory over Notts County in midweek.
Discussions have now resumed with Sporting Lisbon over a possible £7 million move for young centre back Tiago Ilori who the club have been chasing all summer.
Another alternative remains Mamadou Sakho of Paris Saint-Germain if the deal for Ilori cannot be agreed, even though the French champions are reluctant to sell the talented defender with Roma also keen.
Will Liverpool make Shay Given their number two goalkeeper before the close of the window? Let us know your thoughts below.
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