• Brendan Rodgers wants loan with view to permanent deal • Paraguayan signing would increase competition for position

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

Liverpool have contacted Benfica over the availability of the left-back Lorenzo Melgarejo on an initial season-long loan deal.

The manager, Brendan Rodgers, wants to increase the competition on José Enrique's position next season and his search has led him to the 22-year-old Paraguayan, who has been linked with Arsenal and Fenerbahce this summer.

Liverpool are trying to sign Melgarejo on loan, with a view to a long-term transfer, and, should Benfica accept those terms, would have to apply for a work permit because the defender has only one senior cap for his country.

Melgarejo was converted to full-back from a left-sided midfielder by Benfica's coach Jorge Jesus only last season and appeared in the Europa League final defeat by Chelsea.