Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Kasper Schmeichel and Xherdan Shaqiri

Liverpool reportedly want to sign Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, although only a mega-money offer would make a transfer possible during the January window.

The Reds are said to want to upgrade their shaky options between the sticks, Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius. Schmeichel is seen as an upgrade, according to Andrew Gibney of Football Whispers (h/t The Sun).

Gibney cited an unnamed source close to Liverpool who has revealed how the Anfield club has already approached Premier League champions Leicester about Schmeichel.

However, the same reports also made it clear the Danish stopper won't be cheap to acquire: "At 30 years old, he would still have a good three or four years at his prime, but it would take around £20 million in the winter to get Leicester City talking about a move. Claudio Ranieri's side are struggling at the bottom end of the table."

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Schmeichel has missed a lot of time through injury this season. He's been nursing a hand injury picked up during the Foxes' ongoing UEFA Champions League campaign.

Leicester have turned to Ron-Robert Zieler while their regular No. 1 is out. Zieler is capable, but City's defence has struggled without Schmeichel.

The Foxes owned the second-stingiest defence in England's top flight last season, after conceding just 36 goals. But City have already shipped 29 goals through 17 games in this campaign, per the division's official site.

Liverpool need the kind of solidity Schmeichel can provide to boost their own title charge. The Reds have been free-scoring and sit second after finding the net 41 times, but they've conceded 20.

Problems between the sticks have been a major reason why. In particular, Karius has especially struggled, coming in for criticism from all quarters.

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has been engaged in a public spat with both Karius and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp over his crtitque of the German 'keeper, per Kristian Walsh of the Sunday Mirror.

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Interestingly, though, Gibney does not believe Schmeichel would ideally suit Klopp's way of playing.

"Klopp likes his goalkeeper to play on the front foot and in the mould of Claudio Bravo and Manuel Neuer, even Liverpool great Pepe Reina, play as a sweeper keeper," Gibney wrote. "That's not Schmeichel. His starting position is much deeper and is always looking to hit the forwards quickly on the break."

Klopp may want a ball-playing 'keeper, but the first quality of a goalie has to be a comfort in stopping shots. It's something both Karius and Mignolet have struggled to do.

By contrast, Schmeichel is the standout stopper Liverpool need if they are going to sustain their title challenge for the long haul.

Xherdan Shaqiri Prevented from Joining Liverpool in 2014

Stoke City winger Xherdan Shaqiri has revealed how former club Bayern Munich blocked a proposed move to Liverpool back in 2014. In fact, Shaqiri indicated how both the Reds and La Liga side Atletico Madrid wanted to sign him that summer.

Speaking to Spox (h/t Sky Sports), Shaqiri revealed how then-Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was particularly keen: "I wanted to leave in summer by all means and had offers from Liverpool and Atletico. Brendan Rodgers called me several times before the World Cup. But Bayern forbid me to leave."

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Shaqiri eventually joined the Potters after a brief spell with Serie A outfit Inter Milan. The Swiss wide forward has flashed moments of brilliance since coming to the Premier League.

However, the 25-year-old has also been typically mercurial, showing the same inconsistency that's dogged his entire career. Shaqiri has scored three goals for the Potters this season, per WhoScored.com, but there wouldn't be a place for him in the current Liverpool side.

Klopp has constructed a squad filled with creative and intelligent types in the final third. Brazilians Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino combine well with winger Sadio Mane, a player more prolific than Shaqiri.

Liverpool haven't been hurt by Bayern's unwillingness to sell Shaqiri two years ago. Yet the club will be hurt if Klopp sticks with the current options at goalkeeper.