Liverpool plot move for Serie A star after Van Dijk injury despite "disturbed" claim

Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Napoli defender Kim Min-jae following news of Virgil van Dijk's injury.

The Dutch defender was substituted at half-time during the Reds' 3-1 defeat to Brentford, with it later being confirmed that he had suffered a hamstring problem.

The Times reporter Paul Joyce said that the injury is 'worse than first feared', meaning Van Dijk is set for a spell out of action.

How long that spell will be is unknown, with the defender due to have the problem assessed this week by a specialist.

Van Dijk was replaced by Joel Matip at the Gtech Community Stadium, with the Cameroonian likely to step up in his place while the 31-year-old is absent.

Ibrahima Konate, meanwhile, started that game alongside Van Dijk, with Joel Gomez and Nat Phillips the other options available to Jurgen Klopp.

But it appears they are also scanning the market for another centre-back - and have been linked with a defender who was previously interesting Manchester United.

Liverpool keen on Kim Min-jae

Italian outlet Il Mattino has claimed that Liverpool have stepped up interest in Napoli defender Kim since news broke of Van Dijk's injury.

Kim has been one of the star players for Luciano Spalletti's side this season, who have only lost a single game in Serie A this term. That was Wednesday's 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan.

Their only other defeat in any competition came at the hands of Liverpool in the Champions League group stage, with Napoli already guaranteed to top the group by then barring a substantial goal difference shift.

Earlier in the campaign, Serie A expert Matteo Bonetti called the league's September Player of the Month 'one of the most impressive defenders' in the division. He has played in 15 out of 16 league games for Napoli this term, who have conceded 13 goals.

The South Korea international moved to Naples from Fenerbahce in the summer, having spent two seasons with the Turkish giants.

It has been reported by the Daily Mirror that Kim has a £38 million release clause in his current Napoli contract, which may catch the eye of Klopp given that a similar outlay was reportedly made to sign Cody Gakpo from PSV.

However, the defender, who has also been targeted by United and Tottenham, has previously made clear his thoughts on rumours linking him with other clubs.

He told You Quiz on the Block (quotes via Daily Mirror): "There are a lot of transfer stories around me, but I've only been at Napoli for six months.

"I've avoided interviews, and one of the reasons is that the rumours about me disturb me."