Source: DSG
Five defenders Liverpool could and should sign
Liverpool are looking to sign Brazilian defender Douglas on a free transfer.The 25-year-old has been a long-term target for Newcastle and West Ham who both failed with a £4million offer last summer while Inter Milan have also shown interest.However, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has expressed interest after realising Douglas is out of contract with FC Twente. Rodgers is unlikely to have more than £25million to spend this summer, unless Luis Suarez is sold, and wants at least four players.His priority is defence with Jamie Carragher retiring and Martin Skrtel unsettled. He is a fan of Swansea's Ashley Williams and Tottenham's Steven Caulker. Liverpool have also watched Stefan de Vrij at Feyenoord and Sevilla's Federico Fazio.Player ProfilesName: DouglasAge: 25Nationality: Brazil (born in Holland)Position: CBTotal Career Appearances and Goals: 147 : 11Total International Appearances and Goals: 0 : 0 Clubs: 2- FC Twente (current) and Joinvill Esporte ClubeName: Jamie CarragherAge: 35Nationality: EnglandPosition: CBTotal Career Appearances and Goals: 506 : 4Total International Appearances and Goals: 38 : 0Clubs: 1- Liverpool (current)Name: Martin SkrtelAge: 28Nationality: SlovakiaPosition: CBTotal Career Appearances and Goals: 268 : 18Total International Appearances and Goals: 61 : 5Clubs: 3- Trencin, Zenit, Liverpool (current)Name: Daniel AggerAge: 28Nationality: DenmarkPosition: CBTotal Career Appearances and Goals: 189 : 12Total International Appearances and Goals: 56 : 7Clubs: 2- Brondby, Liverpool (current)Name: Ashley WilliamsAge: 28Nationality: WalesPosition: CBTotal Career Appearances and Goals: 375 : 14Total International Appearances and Goals: 41 : 1Clubs: 3- Hednesford Town, Stockport County, Swansea City (current)Name: Steven CaulkerAge: 21Nationality: EnglandPosition: CBTotal Career Appearances and Goals: 116 : 4Total International Appearances and Goals: 1 : 1Clubs: 4- Tottenham Hotspur (current), Yeovil Town (loan), Bristol City (loan), Swansea City (loan)Name: Stefan de VrijAge: 21Nationality: HollandPosition: CBTotal Career Appearances and Goals: 102 : 3Total International Appearances and Goals: 5 : 0Clubs: 1- Feyenoord (current)Name: Federico FazioAge: 26Nationality: ArgentinaPosition: CBTotal Career Appearances and Goals: 172 : 15Total International Appearances and Goals: 2 : 0Clubs: Sevilla (current), Sevilla B, Ferro Carril OesteLiverpool need a strong and tall central defender, who is experienced and still young enough to stay at the club for more than three years. Stefan de Vrij and Steven Caulker are young defenders who both have capps for their countries. Tottenham are unlikely to sell Caulker for a cheap fee so Agger or Skrtel may have to be sold to cough up the funds to get Caulker or they can try a cheap deal for Stefan de Vrij.If I was in Brendan Rodgers situation, I would spend little time trying to lure the youngers in and if that is unsuccessful make offers for Douglas and Federico Fazio. These are two defenders who are lacking a bit of experience but are young and cheap. I would only sell unsettled Skrtel for the right price (between £7m-£10m). If think that Federico Fazio is the right man for Liverpool’s defensive dilemma. He stands at 6ft 6in and is strong and reliable in the air. He solves most of Liverpool’s defensive needs. He has only played twice for Argentina but has had to organise the Sevilla defense for six years and has come across all of Spain’s outstanding attacking players such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The La Liga is the most difficult league to defend in. Fazio may find the Premier League’s tempo hard to adjust to and may need some time to settle in around the area.Rodgers has plenty of options and a £25m budget could see any of these defenders join the club in the summer transfer window. He has time to send scouts to get a further review and analysis of the defenders.