Ezequiel Lavezzi

Liverpool are lining up a move for Paris Saint-Germain forward Ezequiel Lavezzi after being told that Edinson Cavani was out of bounds for a transfer, according to the Daily Express.

The Reds are looking to bolster their attack following the departure of Luis Suarez and are striving to bring in the Argentine to partner Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli in attack, which has not been at its best since the start of the season.

The Reds will face stiff competition from Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan for his signature but Brendan Rodgers is quietly confident that the lure of Premier League football will be enough to prise and integrate him into what is already a frightening attack in prospect.

The Merseyside club have accrued only 10 points so far, a sorry state from their efforts last season when they finished the league in the second spot, two points behind eventual winners Manchester City.

The Reds have lost to Manchester City and Aston Villa and need to show more hunger and competence to keep themselves in contention for a top-four spot, which will be under major scrutiny given the rise to power of Manchester United.

Liverpool are also looking to cut short summer signing Divock Origi's season-long loan with Lille and strengthen their bench, which was found wanting after the injury to Sturridge.

However, they have a fight on their hands with the French club, who have blatantly refused to honour Liverpool's wishes and announced that they are holding on to the player till the end of the season.

"It's impossible. He will stay here until June," Lille director Jean-Michel Vandamme said in an interview.

The setback will be papered over by the imminent return to action of Sturridge, who is likely to start their game against Queens Park Rangers following the resumption of the Premier League after the international break.