Liverpool are close to securing the signature of Manchester City defender Kolo Touré as they look to fill the void left by Jamie Carragher's retirement.

Brendan Rodgers has identified numerous targets to reinforce his central-defensive options, and Touré - available on a free transfer - is poised to have a medical at Liverpool after Manchester City's tour of the United States after next weekend.

The 32-year-old Ivory Coast international has seen his contract run out at the Etihad Stadium having rarely featured since being suspended for six months after admitting accidentally taking a banned substance in 2011.

Toure was once one of the most highly regarded centre-halves in the country, moving to Manchester City for £16 million in 2009, and Rodgers will feel that if he can regain full fitness with regular football he will be a useful asset.

The Liverpool manager is anxious for a proven Premier League defender to join his squad alongside a developing star.

In recent weeks, the Merseyside club have also assessed Schalke's Greek defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Sporting Lisbon's Tiago Llori.

Rodgers is also eager to be reunited with Swansea captain Ashley Williams, but his age and valuation in excess of £10 million have made it increasingly difficult to conceive such a transfer.

Source: Daily Telegraph