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Liverpool have made a fresh approach for rising star Tiago Ilori as their defensive crisis deepens.

Brendan Rodgers has gone back with an improved offer for the Sporting Lisbon centre-half he was first linked with in May only to have an initial bid of around £3million rejected.

Reds boss Rodgers has been forced into the swift return after centre-half Sebastian Coates was ruled out for six months with a cruciate ­ligament injury picked up playing for Uruguay.

That has left the Anfield giants in a worrying situation, with doubts also lingering over Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel, who have been carrying knocks and been linked with Barcelona and Italian side Napoli respectively.

Martin Kelly is still some way away from fitness and, with only summer signing Kolo Toure fully fit, Rodgers will try to ease his problems with the move for Ilori.

The 20-year-old broke into the Sporting team last season and made an instant impact with the Portuguese heavyweights, becoming a regular and earning a call-up to the Portugal U20 side.

But he has refused to sign a new deal and Sporting are now prepared to negotiate after slapping a £6m price tag on the defender.

Big-spending Tottenham have also been interested in the English-born centre back, but the Reds are at a more advanced stage in proceedings and Rodgers is confident of getting his man.