Liverpool target Cheick Doucoure after missing out on Caicedo and Lavia

Liverpool are stepping up their efforts to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure.

Jurgen Klopp has insisted on a number six to bolster his squad after missing out on Moisés Caicedo at Chelsea, with Romeo Lavia set to follow the Ecuadorian to Stamford Bridge.

The Anfield club have had to look at alternative options, with Doucoure likely to be cheaper than the previous two targets.

Doucoure’s final price could be around £60m, though Palace fear losing too many players this summer.

The Malian midfielder is understood to be interested in a move to Anfield, and personal terms would not be an issue.

Liverpool are also eyeing Fulham’s Joao Paulinha and Nice’s Khephren Thuram, but the 23-year-old Doucoure is seen as a more viable option at the moment.

Klopp is looking forward to “reloading” in the coming weeks as the Reds revamp their squad and starting options.

The German said: “We don’t always have to say ‘Milner would have said that and Henderson would have said that and Firmino would have smiled here.’ We shouldn’t do it like this. That makes no sense.

“We have this kind of fresh start with this recharged Liverpool, it’s an exciting thing. Everyone was asking for changes, rightly so, because we were together a long time.

“It is a new opportunity for everyone, everyone has to step up. We all share the responsibility and it’s not that we should give ourselves too much time to grow in it, let’s do it.

“Let’s take responsibility and go from there and not try to be like somebody. Be the best version of yourself and then you will have a good chance to help the team in the best possible way.”