Liverpool Transfer News: Breaking Down Latest on Reds' Center-Back Pursuit

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers knows his club needs defensive help before the transfer window closes. 

Speaking at a press conference prior to Liverpool's Saturday match with Aston Villa, Rodgers confirmed that the Reds would be aggressive in their pursuit of a new defender to bolster depth and talent on the roster. 

As reported by The Guardian, an injury to Sebastian Coates—which will keep the Uruguayan defender sidelined for "most of the season"—is forcing Rodgers to consider being more aggressive with a late bid for defensive help. 

The Reds have denied showing interest in selling Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger during the current transfer window and also signed defender Kolo Toure on a free transfer from Manchester City this summer.

However, those moves haven't quite alleviated Rodgers' defensive concerns. 

Though Toure has been a strong presence in his first two Premier League starts for the Reds, it might be unrealistic to expect him to shoulder the load without any help for an entire club season. 

Rodgers knows it's going to take a collective effort to eclipse the likes of City, Manchester United and Chelsea in the Premier League standings.

In addition to defensive help, the Liverpool boss has been actively seeking a striker to pair with Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Iago Aspas in attack. 

ESPN FC's Mike Whalley nabbed one of Rodgers' press conference quotes on the subject of transfer help, and the Reds boss told reporters in attendance that he would do whatever it takes to help make his lineup better in pursuit of a top-four finish. 

When asked about moving in another defender, Rodgers said: 

"

It’s something that we are looking at—a player to come into that position.

Over the course of the summer, we have been very ambitious in our attempts to try to get players to improve the team. Some might say we’ve been too ambitious, but this is Liverpool Football Club.

We are trying to get the best players we possibly can.

"

Sporting Lisbon defender Tiago Ilori and Paris Saint-Germain wantaway French international Mamadou Sakho have both been linked to the Reds over the last few days. Each has been quite prevalent in transfer rumours and would bolster the defense at Anfield right away. 

Mirror's David Maddock reported on Wednesday that Rodgers and the Reds were resurrecting their approach for Ilori. Originally linked with the club back in May, Sporting reportedly turned down a £3 million bid for the 20-year-old only to see the Reds come crawling back down the transfer straightaway. 

Portuguese newspaper A Bola reported on Saturday that Ilori would require a bid of £6.1 million to be sold. That figure might be a little pricey for Liverpool's liking, but at this point in the transfer window, beggars can't be choosers. 

That said, it seems Sakho is option No. 1 before an aggressive bid for the likes of Ilori would be placed. 

Metro's Jamie Sanderson reported on Thursday that the PSG man told his club of an intention to transfer, citing a need for consistent playing time before next summer's World Cup. 

Sanderson's report claims that Liverpool are the only team Sakho has interest in transferring to.

Although he's been linked to several other Premier League clubs and the likes of AC Milan and Barcelona, Sakho fills a need at Anfield and would be well worth the price tag PSG put on his head. 

According to Sky Sports, that price tag is going to be around £8 million. 

Liverpool have gotten off to a strong start to the 2013/14 Premier League season. In 1-0 wins over Stoke City and Aston Villa, the defense—particularly the goaltending of Simon Mignolet—has been outstanding.

Although the Reds are one of just two teams with six points in the table heading into Sunday, it's clear that Rodgers isn't going to get complacent or take his club's early-season success as an indicator of stability.

Expect the Reds to sign a center-back—and possibly a striker, but that's a story for another day—before the Sept. 2 transfer deadline.  

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