Liverpool must fork out £27m to land Ajax centre-back Perr Schuurs as transfer fix to solve defensive issues

LIVERPOOL will have to fork out £27million if they are to land Ajax centre-back Perr Schuurs, according to reports.

Jurgen Klopp has seen his defensive ranks decimated by injuries this season - having already sold Dejan Lovren in the summer without replacing him.

The Reds have lost Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez to long-term injuries this season.

Joel Matip, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson have all suffered knocks too, with Klopp calling on Nathaniel Phillips and youngster Rhys Williams in the heart of his back-four.

Liverpool are believed to be set to make a move early in the January transfer window in a bid to fix the gaping hole in their defence.

As well as Dayot Upamecano, Klopp is rumoured to be keen on Ajax's latest young sensation - 20-year-old defender Schuurs.

The 6ft 3in centre-back has already drawn comparisons to Matthijs De Ligt - who joined Juventus from the Dutch giants in 2019.

Schuurs - who turns 21 on Thursday - joined Ajax's youth ranks from Fortuna Sittard in 2018 and has gone on to play just 27 times.

But his hot form has already seen him receive his first call-up to the Holland squad earlier this season.

Schuurs was called up for Nations League games against Poland and Italy in September, but failed to come off the bench.

Most-recently he was part of Holland's Under-21s squad, starting their 2-1 loss to Portugal.

The in-demand defender is also on the radar of Inter Milan and AC Milan, as well as Liverpool.

But claim Ajax will demand £27m for Perr - exactly £1m per senior appearance thus far in his career.