Liverpool supporters in the Football Transfer Tavern have the right to be abundant in optimism ahead of their pre-season in preparation for next campaign with Jurgen Klopp at the helm.

The Reds have struggled to attract the big names that once graced the famous Anfield turf but that shouldn’t sway the Merseyside-based club from pursuing their top summer targets, and that is exactly what the manager will be doing.

One area of the pitch that constantly came under scrutiny last year was the team’s defence, which conceded a fairly unsurprising 42 goals in the Premier League – the second highest in the top-six, only fierce rivals Manchester United letting more in.

Fans by the bar are enthusiastic as the teams look ready to return to training in a few weeks time at the end of this month, however, one man who won’t be arriving at Liverpool this summer is centre-back Virgil van Dijk.

Bearing that in mind, here are two defenders Liverpool should consider making a move for in the upcoming weeks and months….Do you agree?

Ryan Bertrand

Ryan Bertrand has steadily become of the most reliable left-backs in the Premier League with Southampton and speculation in the bar surrounding his future at St. Mary’s continues to increase as the likeliness of him remaining a Saints player is bleak.

The 27-year-old featured in 27 top-flight games for Claude Puel’s side which has led him to being one of the most solid defenders around.

Jurgen Klopp is without an out-and-out full-back in this position despite having James Milner, whilst our Reds-mad punters are adamant that the club needs to sell Alberto Moreno.

Matija Nastasic

Having briefly played together with Joel Matip at German outfit FC Schalke, Matija Nastasic has stepped up to the plate and become one of the most efficient centre-halves in the Bundesliga.

Our Liverpool supporters in the Football Transfer Tavern are keen fans of ‘under the radar’ signings who don’t really excite many of the big clubs, but could just be as high in quality as the best defenders on the planet.

Aged at 24, the Serbian international has previous Premier League experience on his CV after suffering a underwhelming three years at Manchester City before moving to continental Europe.

Liverpool fans, would you be happy with these two defenders? Do you agree that this duo would enhance your defence and help climb further up the table? Let us hear your thoughts in the comments below!