The highly-rated Ajax defender had sparked a frenzy of Premier League interest with Manchester United and Everton being on his trail.



Liverpool are on the lookout for a new defender, with concerns mounting about Martin Skrtel's performances and Jamie Carragher retiring at the end of the season.



United themselves have viewed Alderweireld as a long-term successor to Nemanja Vidic who has been plagued with injuries in the past 18 months.



Alderweireld gave the green light to a move to Anfield, telling Belgium paper Het Nieuws Laatste: "I do not want to play in an English club to mid-table. Unlike Newcastle, Liverpool meets my criteria."