Liverpool FC will target Swansea City skipper Ashley Williams this summer as boss Brendan Rodgers looks to find a replacement for Jamie Carragher.

Securing the services of a dominant centre-back is the club's overriding priority in the next transfer window and Williams tops their shortlist.

The Reds are also monitoring a number of alternative options but Feyenoord defender Stefan De Vrij is no longer on their radar.

Liverpool have had the 21-year-old Holland international watched by scouts regularly this season.

Rodgers flew to Rotterdam to see him in action against PSV Eindhoven last month but he failed to impress and the club are now focusing their attention elsewhere.

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup faces a battle to keep hold of Williams, who recently captained the Welsh outfit to League Cup glory at Wembley.

Rodgers worked with the 28-year-old during his two years in charge of the Swans and believes he has all the qualities required to succeed at Anfield.

The Wales international skipper, who only penned a new deal back in October, is under contract until 2015 and would command a fee of around £8million. He has also attracted interest from Arsenal.

Liverpool's 3-1 defeat to Southampton on Saturday underlined just how much Carragher, who sat the game out due to a shin injury, will be missed when he retires in May.

The hope is that Williams will provide similar attributes with the defender, who joined Swansea from Stockport County in 2008, also strong in the air and comfortable in possession.

Source: Liverpool Echo