Liverpool identify two centre-back targets after Van Dijk's injury

Liverpool have identified Ben White and Ozan Kabak as a potential defensive targets for the January transfer window.

Virgil van Dijk recently suffered a knee ligament injury in the Merseyside derby and he is expected to miss the remainder of the campaign.

This leaves Joe Gomez and Joel Matip as the only fit senior centre-backs and The Athletic claims that they may look for cover in January.

Brighton's White is a long-term target for the Reds, but he may not come on the cheap after a £30m offer from Leeds was rejected this summer.

Hence, Kabak of Schalke 04 has been identified as an alternative option. The Turkey international was fancied to join the Reds earlier in August.

The 20-year-old was regarded as the potential replacement for the departed Dejan Lovren, but nothing materialised beyond the speculation.

Midfielders Fabinho and James Milner have previously played in the central defence and the duo are set to provide cover in the coming months.