Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Javier Hernandez and Joel Matip Rumours

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has reportedly told the Reds board to go all out to sign Bayer Leverkusen striker Javier Hernandez in the summer ahead of Premier League rivals Arsenal.

According to ITA Sport Press (via Luke Gardener in the Daily Star), because of Liverpool's current striker shortage, Klopp has "demanded" the Mexico international be signed at the end of the season.

The German manager has been forced to regularly use Roberto Firmino up front because Danny Ings is injured, Daniel Sturridge is a perennial fitness concern and Christian Benteke is woefully out of form—as was evident against West Ham United on Tuesday, per Sky Sports News HQ:

Contrastingly, Hernandez, 27, has been in flying form since making the move from Manchester United to Leverkusen last summer.

He has netted 13 league goals in 17 appearances this season and been named the Bundesliga's player of the month three times in a row, per WhoScored.com.

Klopp is expected to make big moves in the summer as he looks to shape his own Liverpool side, and especially after he was surprisingly inactive in January, per Bleacher Report's Dean Jones:

Chicharito could be a brilliant buy for the former Borussia Dortmund boss, as the forward has consistently shown in his career that he is a clinical finisher, and that is exactly the type of player Liverpool need.

The likes of Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana are all very capable of setting up chances, but they need someone to finish them off.

Per Tony Stenson of the Daily Star Sunday, Hernandez has previously indicated that he would like "another crack at the Premier League," having spent much of his time at United as an impact substitute, and a move to Liverpool would surely guarantee him more game time than he had at Old Trafford.

However, it would be a controversial move for him to make given the fierce rivalry between Liverpool and the Red Devils.

Elsewhere, the way is reportedly clear for Liverpool to sign Schalke centre-back Joel Matip on a free transfer in the summer.

The Cameroon international's contract with his current club expires at the end of the season, and he has turned down the opportunity to sign on to an extended deal, per Reviersport (via George Bellshaw of Metro).

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As a result, the report indicates the Reds are the favourites to sign him as Klopp looks to bolster his shaky defence.

Despite only being 24, Matip is a vastly experienced player, having been a key part of Schalke's senior team since 2009.

With Dejan Lovren, Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho worryingly inconsistent in the Reds' defence, Matip could be a shrewd addition in the summer, especially as he would arrive for free.