The Germany Under-21 international has already clocked up 90 Bundesliga appearances for Mainz, and is rated as one of the best young talents in his country

Jurgen Klopp is determined to strengthen Liverpool’s goalkeeping department ahead of his first full season at the club, andunderstands Mainz's Loris Karius is one of his premier targets.

The 22-year-old has been impressive between the sticks for the Bundesliga outfit, whom the Reds boss managed for seven years from 2001 to 2008. He has already clocked up 90 appearances in the league, keeping 27 clean sheets in the process.

The Germany Under-21 international, regarded as one of his country’s most promising prospects, has been closely monitored by Liverpool with Klopp intent on providing proper competition to Simon Mignolet.

Adam Bogdan was recruited as a free agent in the summer to deputise for the Belgian, but he been deemed an underwhelming understudy and will leave the club at the end of the season as Klopp looks for a player to rival Mignolet rather than act as purely back-up.

Danny Ward, who was recalled from a loan spell at Aberdeen in January, is expected to spend 2016-17 on a temporary deal at Huddersfield Town.

Karius is understood to have a release clause under £8 million and early indications are he would be open to a move to Merseyside.

He has already sampled English football, having spent two years with Manchester City’s youth team from 2009 to 2011.