Scott Dann and 3 Other Central Defenders Who Could Join Liverpool Reds

In the first two months of the transfer window, Liverpool concentrated on plugging the gaps in the attack with the capture of Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson. 

However, the Reds have failed to add any reinforcements at the defensive end, except for the signing of Alexander Doni as the backup keeper.

If there were any doubts that defensive reinforcements were needed, they were washed away in the preseason when the Liverpool defense conceded three goals in each of their five preseason friendlies. 

With Liverpool close to signing Jose Enrique from Newcastle to cover the ever-problematic left-back position, the only major area of concern that remains is in the center of defense.

Liverpool currently have Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel and Sotorios Kyrgiakos in that position, with Martin Kelly and Danny Wilson as backups.

Carragher is 33 and is not expected to play every game. Agger is injury prone and Kyrgiakos, for all his contribution to Liverpool, is not good enough. Martin Skrtel, though not injury prone, pushes and tucks shirts far too often in the box and is bound to give away a penalty in a crucial situation. 

Martin Skrtel is also expected to miss the start of the season with a calf injury.

All of these reasons point to a need for a quality reinforcement in central defense. 

The following list looks at four alternatives that Liverpool is considering.

Scott Dann

Current Club: Birmingham City

Expected Price: £10 million

The 24-year-old Liverpudlian has been at the heart of the Birmingham defense for the past two years and has formed a great partnership with Roger Johnson.

Their combination has been one of the reasons for Birmingham's awesome defensive showing—one that gave St. Andrew's the reputation of a fortress last season.

It may not be a mere coincidence that Dann being injured for the latter half of the season led to Birmingham being relegated from the Premier League. 

His tackling abilities and presence in the air make him the ideal central defender.

With only 12 months left on his contract and Birmingham not being able to offer Dann Premier League football, Birmingham might be willing to cash-in on their prized possession.

Dann is a former Liverpool season ticket holder, and Liverpool fans might relish the prospect of getting more local flavor in the side.

Many clubs are said to be interested, including Stoke and Arsenal. Per Goal.com, Stoke apparently already have had a bid of £16 million rejected. However, any interest from the Reds would make Liverpool the favorites to land the defender.

Gary Cahill

Current Club: Bolton

Expected price: £15-20 million

Highly rated by almost everyone in the Premier League, Cahill is wanted by almost all of the top clubs.

Since his move from Villa in 2008, he has made over 100 appearances for the Trotters.

Along with his defensive duties, which he fulfills very well, he is also an aerial threat to the goal in set pieces and has scored nine times already for Bolton.

Both Kenny Dalglish and Damien Comolli rate the 25-year-old very highly; he is seen as a long-term successor to Jamie Carragher.

Though Arsenal are also said to be interested, Owen Coyle would want to retain possession of his best defender. 

As Liverpool haven't been linked to Cahill for the last two months, speculation has resurfaced regarding their interest in him. 

Coyle came out and rubbished such links, but what's going on behind the scenes is anyone's guess.

Ryan Shawcross

Current Club: Stoke City

Expected Price:  £12 million

Ryan Shawcross has been an important member of the Stoke defense for the past three years now and has formed a good partnership with Robert Huth.

He has made over 100 appearances for Stoke since his arrival from Manchester United and has also scored his fair share of goals from set-pieces due to his towering presence inside the penalty box.

He is a natural leader in defense and would fit in seamlessly with the Liverpool squad.

Shawcross was also given the club captaincy last season, which is an indication of how highly he is rated.

At just 23 years old, he would fit in perfectly with FSG's policy of buying young. 

Shawcross harbors ambitions of playing for England; a move to Liverpool might just be the thing that he requires to fulfill his dream.

Tony Pulis, however, has issued a hands-off warning to all the clubs, although it would be very difficult for Pulis to hold on to a player who obviously is destined for a bigger club. If Liverpool are genuinely interested, they might just be able to get their man.

Phil Jagielka

Current Club: Everton

Expected Price: £15 million

This is a cheeky little addition to the list. Everton don't want to part with the central defender who has served them well ever since David Moyes signed him from Sheffield United for £4 million four years ago in 2007.

However, Everton does not seem to be a club that is ready to invest in its squad. It is only due to David Moyes' brilliance that Everton end up in the top half of the table every season. 

Jagielka is 28 and at the peak of his career. He may want to move away from Goodison Park to realise his true potential.

Currently, Arsenal are the favorites to land the defender. Their £11 million bid has already been rejected and there is talk of an improved £15 million bid, as reported by Today Online. 

However, the new owners at Liverpool have shown their ability to back the management in the transfer market and if Liverpool are unable to secure their other targets, they might well turn their attention to Jagielka and spoil Arsenal's party.

Conclusion

Liverpool have spent a lot of energy and money in the transfer market and it would most likely be capped off with the addition of a central defender to the squad. 

So, including a central defender and a left-back, Liverpool would have made six signings in the transfer market this season—a good number by any standards. 

Most of the signings may serve them well for many years, with Liverpool choosing to buy young (except in the case of Downing, who is 27).

Even in the case of prospective signings, Liverpool would definitely consider age before the signings were completed. 

The signings, coupled with the development of the academy youngsters, bode well for the future. 

Hence, the team is expected to once again become a force in English football for a time to come.