Liverpool are planning a move for Hannover goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler in the summer, according to the Mail. It is believed Anfield chiefs are preparing for the possible departure of present No 1 Pepe Reina.

The 31-year-old Madrid-born goalkeeper is a product of the Barcelona youth academy and with the probable summer departure of the Catalans' current No 1, Victor Valdes, reports suggest Reina, like Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas, may be persuaded to return home.

Ron-Robert Zieler
Reuters

Meanwhile, 24-year-old German international Zieler has had a reasonable season with the Bundesliga club, making 146 saves in 34 appearances to help the club to ninth in the table.

Also on the cards for Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is a revamp of defensive options. Club veteran Jamie Carragher has retired, leaving a big hole at the back. In addition, youngster Sebastian Coates is also likely to leave and with Slovakian Martin Skrtel finding game time difficult to come by, Liverpool fans may see a very new back four next year.

Swansea City captain Ashley Williams was a possible option but the Liverpool board are believed to have ruled against Rodgers moving for his former player. Ivorian international Kolo Toure is an option; the former Arsenal man will be available for free after his Manchester City contract expires in the summer.

Rodgers on Coates

The Liverpool boss, meanwhile, has acknowledged Coates' frustrations. The Northern Irishman praised the 22-year-old for "loyalty" and "support" and also confirmed he would speak with the player about his future.

"Seb has been in here and has been a very loyal member of our squad. He has been a great support player for the group. Obviously his chances have been very limited. That's unfortunately how it is sometimes as a defender," he told LiverpoolFC.com

"As a manager you are very rarely changing the defence. It's more the midfield and front players. It's been difficult for him. He got a lot of games at the beginning of the season with the cups but obviously since January it has been hard for him. We will sit down when he comes back for pre-season and we will take it from there. He has been here a few years now. All players want to play, I respect that," he added.