Liverpool plot move for Man City midfielder

Manchester City's Nigel De Jong (right) celebrates after Mario Balotelli scores a goal during the Barclays Premier League match against Norwich City at Etihad Stadium on Saturday in Manchester, England. (GETTY)

Published Monday, December 05, 2011

By Staff

Kenny Dalglish is planning to add more steel to Liverpool's defence by making an ambitious move for £15 million rated Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong.

The 27 year-old Dutch international is started just three of 14 Premier League matches this season with City boss Roberto Mancini changing the attacking formation of the team.

Dalglish’s need to bring in another defensive midfield option has increased with Brazilian Lucas Leiva being sidelined for the rest of the season following a knee injury sustained during Liverpool’s League Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge.

The Anfield side had reportedly been linked with the Dutch international in the summer and Liverpool are considering making a January move for the tough tackling player.

The former Ajax and Hamburg man is keen to get regular first team football so as to maintain his presence in the Dutch international set-up going into the Euro 2012 finals next summer.

This could pave the way for the battling defensive midfielder to consider a possible move away from Man City.

De Jong had been a regular presence in his first two and a half seasons at the club, notching up 76 Premier League appearances in the process. But Mancini has gone for more attacking options, opting for Yaya Toure and Gareth Barry as a central midfield pairing leaving no room for the Dutchman.

Though Liverpool have a large number of central midfield options, with the likes of Steven Gerrard, Charlie Adam, Jay Spearing, Jordan Henderson, Alberto Aquilani (out on loan at AC Milan) and Jonjo Shelvey, none of these alternatives are strictly defensive minded, hence the need to consider a move for reinforcements.

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