Liege star long term target for Reds

According to the Daily Telegraph, Standard Liege star Steven Defour has been a 'long term target' for Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson.

The 24-year-old has been one of many players assessed by the Reds scouting team in recent weeks and does fall within Hodgson's transfer budget.

Defour only expressed yesterday however that he believes Manchester United are tracking him," he said.

"I know that Manchester United are closely monitoring my situation. There hasn't been any official contact yet though.

"I've been sidelined for quite a while due to injury, but I'm playing at a high level again. The chance that I'll leave the club is rather big if I continue to play like I currently do.

"I've had the opportunity to leave Standard on more than once occasion in the past couple of seasons, but I loved the club too much to leave.

"However, I'm 22 years old now and I also have to think about myself. There comes a time when you just have to make the next step in your career, regardless of sentiments for any club."

Valued at £12million by Standard, a move by Liverpool is seen as "minimum risk for maximum reward" according to the Telegraph.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.