Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Alberto Moreno and Virgil van Dijk

Alberto Moreno of Liverpool is a target for AS Roma, but the Italian giants have options ready if they cannot secure the Spanish defender.

According to Corriere dello Sport (h/t TalkSport), Yannick Gerhardt of Wolfsburg and Celta Vigo talent Jonathan Castro are viable alternatives if they cannot strike a deal with the Reds. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp wants £15 million for the full-back after turning down £11 million from Napoli.

Moreno arrived on Merseyside to great fanfare and was considered one of the best young defenders in Europe during his spell with Sevilla.

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The 24-year-old fell out of favour with Klopp last season, who became frustrated by his inconsistency.

The Andalusia-born player has also exited the Spain squad after failing to develop during his time in the Premier League.

Moreno won the UEFA Europa League with Sevilla before leaving La Liga and also featured for his country during their UEFA European Under-21 Championship victory in 2013.

In other news, former Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia has questioned the logic of the club's pursuit of Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk.

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Speaking to 5Times (h/t the Daily Star's Luke Gardener), Hyypia proclaimed Klopp needs to focus on other parts of the field as the side enters the UEFA Champions League once again:

"I think it's important to strengthen the team every year. You need to think carefully how you do it, that the chemistry is right and everything.

"I think nowadays the centre-backs are a bit different than before, that maybe the modern centre back, he is very good on the ball, he can play the ball, and maybe sometimes he has difficulties to defend. 

"And of course you need to defend in the game, you don’t have the ball all the time.

"Van Dijk is a very good player, I like him a lot, I think he has very good qualities in every area of the game, but I don't know if it's essential to sign him or to sign a centre back."

According to Lyall Thomas of Sky Sports, Southampton have confirmed they will retain the Dutchman despite significant interest from Klopp to sign the defender.

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Van Dijk will continue to be a target for Europe's top sides in the weeks ahead, but with a new manager in place, the Saints will insist on retaining the nucleus of their starting XI.

The 25-year-old sat out the end of the season through injury but featured 27 times in the Premier League and Europe, per WhoScored.com.

The former Celtic man proved himself to be one of the Premier League's most improved defenders during the past year, and despite Hyypia's comments, Liverpool appeared weak in defence last term.

The club's flair in attack saved Klopp on many occasions, and it will be no surprise if he makes a valuable investment at centre-back during this summer.