Who do Liverpool need to sign to retain the title? Keep up with all the Reds news with our free daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Rafael Benitez is close to bringing Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel to Napoli.

The 28-year-old will initially join the Serie A runners-up on loan, but the Reds are insisting on a clause that makes the deal permanent if the Slovakian captain remains fit.

Skrtel had previously

at Anfield but will now settle for

Brendan Rodgers is continuing his attempts to re-model Liverpool's squad, and has signed plenty of attacking talent this summer.

However, the Reds' defence has not seen too many reinforcements and Skrtel's departure will force Rodgers back into the

Benfica's Lorenzo Melgarejo is expected to shortly be confirmed as a one-year loan signing in a bid to provide cover for Jose Enrique on the left side of defence.