Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Joel Matip and Edinson Cavani Rumours

Jurgen Klopp has been chasing new Liverpool centre-back Joel Matip since his days as manager of Borussia Dortmund. That's according to Reds midfielder Emre Can, who has revealed Klopp told him last year how he's long intended to sign Matip.

Matip signed for Liverpool on a free transfer in February from Bundesliga side Schalke 04. Can told the club's official site (h/t Goal.com) how Klopp had been tracking the Cameroon defender for a long time: "[Klopp] said to me last year that he always said when he was at Dortmund that, when he was at another club, he would buy Matip."

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Can also explained why he thinks Matip can be a key figure at Liverpool this season: "Matip is very good for the side. He's very good on the ball. He was a leader at Schalke and played many years there. I think you need a player like him."

Matip's comfort on the ball is indeed a vital quality in the game Anfield boss Klopp prefers to play. The Reds still like to build from the back on the German's watch, so defenders who can play out are always valuable.

Although Matip has been slowly integrated into the Liverpool starting XI so far this season, he's still managed to catch the eye. In particular, the 25-year-old impressed during the recent 1-1 draw away to Tottenham Hotspur.

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He was strong, quick and composed in keeping the Tottenham forward line at bay. Those qualities can be very useful for the Reds this season, especially given the situation surrounding Mamadou Sakho.

The ultra-athletic Frenchman is Liverpool's most talented centre-back. However, he's facing a fight to convince Klopp of his significance after turning down a trio of potential loan moves on the final day of the summer transfer window, according to David Maddock of the Daily Mirror.

Matip's ability to anchor the back four has naturally taken on greater importance with Sakho's prospects still far from certain.

Reds Tried to Sign Edinson Cavani

Liverpool may have recruited an exciting new player at the back, but the club still has never replaced Luis Suarez as centre-forward. That failure stems from being unable to secure any of three high-profile forwards back in the summer of 2014.

The Liverpool Echo's James Pearce has revealed how the Reds made bids for Edinson Cavani, Radamel Falcao and Karim Benzema that year. Pearce blasted the frantic, last-ditch attempts: "Nothing came off. There didn’t seem to be a coherent plan. It was all horribly scattergun."

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Ironically, Cavani might actually be an easier get now. The Uruguayan is struggling to fill Zlatan Ibrahimovic's shoes as the main man for Paris Saint-Germain.

In a further twist of irony, the Reds may be forgiven for feeling they enjoyed a lucky escape over Falcao. Despite Liverpool's fruitless bid, the Colombian did move to the Premier League in 2014, joining the Anfield club's bitter rivals Manchester United.

What followed were two dire loan spells, first at United, then with Chelsea.  Yet, although Falcao flopped, Liverpool still lack a match-winner at striker.

In fact, Klopp is often content to rely on Brazilian schemer Roberto Firmino as a false nine. He never seems completely comfortable with either one of brittle duo Divock Origi or Daniel Sturridge through the middle.

Klopp and Liverpool may rue their lack of true centre-forwards this season. However, the Reds manager will be lauded if Matip proves a classic bargain at the back.