Defender heads Klopp's Bundesliga triple swoop
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is planning to return to the Bundesliga again to sign a top defender.
Hoffenheim's German under-21 defender Niklas Sule heads Klopp's shortlist having already snapped up Joel Matip from Schalke for next season.
And he also hopes to complete deals soon for long-held targets Mario Goetze of Bayern Munich and Mainz goalkeeper Loris Karius.
Klopp believes the influx of German mentality and athleticism will improve the club's chances of bouncing back next season from their disappointing Europa League final defeat against Sevilla on Wednesday night.
6ft5ins tall Sule is considered to have the aggression and physical attributes to thrive in the Premier League and could form an all-German pairing next season with 24-year-old Matip, who has agreed a move to Anfield after running down his deal with Schalke.
Goetze scored Germany's winner in the 2014 World Cup Final but is no longer guaranteed a starting position at Bayern while 22-year-old Karius will be signed to contest the No1 jersey with Simon Mignolet.
Klopp feels he only needs one additional centre-back with Joe Gomez due to return from injury to provide competition with Dejan Lovren. Brazilian midfielder Lucas can also play there in an emergency.
The Liverpool boss enquired about his former centre-half at Borussia Dortmund Neven Subotic in January but the Serbian international has since been out for two months with thrombosis.