Football
Mike Whalley and Kevin Palmer 9y

Liverpool have Clyne approach rejected by Southampton - sources

Liverpool have had an approach for England defender Nathaniel Clyne rejected by Southampton.

Manager Brendan Rodgers is keen to add the 24-year-old to his squad in order to strengthen his options at right-back, sources have told ESPN FC.

Despite being knocked back by the Saints, Liverpool are ready to pursue their interest in Clyne. The defender has one more season to run on the four-year deal he signed when joining Southampton from Crystal Palace in July 2012.

He indicated in an interview with Sky Sports on Thursday that he believed he could achieve his domestic ambitions with Southampton, who have just finished seventh in the Premier League, one placed below Liverpool.

"As long as you're playing well for your club and you're doing ever so well in the Premier League then, yeah, you'll get a chance, regardless of whether you're in a top team or not," Clyne said.

"But Southampton are pushing up, so why can't we be a top team?"

Despite the fact that they cannot offer Champions League football next season, Liverpool are hopeful that they can persuade Clyne to join them.

Southampton, for their part, are still waiting to hear back from Clyne and his agent as they consider the improved contract offer made to them last month, sources told ESPN FC.

The delay over that decision is alarming Saints officials, who were confident that they were winning their battle to keep Clyne at Southampton following positive talks with the player and his new agent.

Yet with just one year left to run on his current deal, Southampton may not be forced to consider selling their full-back, with Liverpool's interest a fresh twist in the debate over his future.

Right-back was a problem position for Rodgers during the season just completed, with Javi Manquillo and Glen Johnson failing to make themselves regular starters in the role.

The manager did switch to a three-man central defence in midseason to better effect, regularly using Jordon Ibe as right wing-back.

When Rodgers reverted to a back four during the closing weeks of the season, Emre Can was deployed at right-back, but he is more comfortable as a centre half or a midfielder, and struggled badly.

With Johnson set to leave Anfield on a free transfer and Jon Flanagan potentially out until the start of 2016 as he recovers from knee surgery, Rodgers is seeking a solution to his right-back problem before the start of next season.

Liverpool's interest in Clyne follows their signing of three players from Southampton last summer -- centre-back Dejan Lovren, midfielder Adam Lallana and striker Rickie Lambert.

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