Liverpool have turned their attention to Stefan de Vrij after their move for Virgil van Dijk broke down, according to the Metro via Sky Italia.
The Reds had been in pole position to sign the Netherland international after reports suggested that Van Dijk was keen to play under Jurgen Klopp.
However, Liverpool U-turned on their interest for the Southampton centre-back after the south coast side threatened to report the Merseyside outfit for tapping up their prized asset.
It’s seen Liverpool alter their centre-back targets, with De Vrij now back on the radar after a deal for the Dutchman looked dead in the water.
The Premier League side are prepared to spend big to bolster their centre-back options this summer following a campaign where their defence was routinely exposed.
De Vrij has only a year left to run on his current deal with Lazio and is reluctant to put pen to paper on a new contract, meaning the Serie A outfit need to sell this summer or risk losing him on a free in 2018.
The 25-year-old defender has made 27 league starts for the Rome-based side this season after missing most of the 2015/16 campaign through injury.
