Real Madrid set to raid Liverpool in January for urgent defensive cover

Rafa Benitez has identified a player from his ex-club to bolster his Real Madrid side in January - but it's not Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino or Emre Can.

Instead a slightly less heralded Liverpool player is in the under pressure Spaniard's sights - 23-year-old left-back Alberto Moreno. Wing-back Marcelo is currently the first-choice option at the Santiago Bernabeu, and although he is key figure in Rafa's plans, his injury record is beginning to cause concern. The Brazilian suffered another setback in El Clasico last weekend, and faces his second spell on the sidelines this season. Moreno is of course of La Liga stock, having signed from Sevilla for a reported £12m in 2014, and the Real coach sees him as ideal cover for the 27-year-old Marcelo. Whether Jurgen Klopp would be willing to sell the Iberian Gerrard-Alonso hybrid remains to be seen. The German's focus is more on strengthening his playing staff rather than losing further bodies.