Liverpool Favourite: Rodgers Has Priorities Wrong With Salah Pursuit

John Aldridge says Brendan Rodgers needs a defensive midfielder and should be prioritising finding one over bringing Mohamed Salah to Liverpool.

Basel star Salah was believed to be in advanced talks with the Reds over a move to Merseyside this month but the deal has stalled somewhat in recent days with the side facing competition from a number of other clubs.

And while Aldridge has urged Rodgers to be active in the current window the former Liverpool striker insists that finding a replacement for the injured Lucas Leiva should be at the top of the manager's list.

"It's positive to see Liverpool trying to add to their squad as they look to agree a deal for Mohamed Salah," he told the Echo. "However, questions will be asked about whether a winger is the priority considering how we are leaking goals.

"I've been saying for some time that we need another defensive midfielder and Lucas Leiva's injury increases the need to sign that type of player.

"We need a physical presence in the middle of the park – someone strong, quick and dynamic."

He continued: "What we don't need is any more loan deals. I'm not a fan of them. Premier League clubs shouldn't be able to loan players to each other and the system needs sorting out."

Liverpool's attacking line-up, led by Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez, has been top-notch this season but their defenders have made some glaring errors in recent matches.

With the side currently in fourth place in the table and equal on points with Tottenham they will need to continue an almost perfect record in order to seal qualification for the Champions League, particularly with Manchester United hoping for a late resurgence into the top four.

The Reds were linked with a move for AC Milan midfielder Nigel De Jong to replace Lucas but those reports have so far been denied by the club.