Kolo Toure has been lined up by Liverpool as a surprise replacement for Jamie Carragher.

The Ivorian will be a free agent when his contract with Manchester City expires next month and Reds boss Brendan Rodgers believes the experience the former Arsenal man can bring to his defence will be invaluable in the absence of the retiring Carragher.

Toure, 32, is currently in the United States with the rest of the City squad but a deal is already believed to have been agreed in principle and the move will be ratified on his return once a medical has been completed.

Rodgers is desperate to add strength to the heart of his back four and plans to bring in at least one more centre back during the close season.

Reading's Alex Pearce, Kyriakos Papadopoulos of Schalke and Ajax's Toby Alderweireld are all being considered.

Carragher played his final game on Sunday and was given a fantastic send-off by the Anfield crowd as the Reds beat QPR 1-0.

Source: Metro