Reds “step up” chase for midfielder

Liverpool are “poised to step up” their chase for Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen, according to the Liverpool Echo.  The 30 year old Danish international played under Roy Hodgson in his single season in charge at FC Copenhagen in 2000/01, winning the league title in the process. The Echo believes that the Reds are looking to press on in their search for a replacement for Javier Mascherano, despite the Argentine not currently near a move to Inter Milan. The Italian club will be in a stronger position once they have sold Mario Balotelli to buy Mascherano and Liverpool are looking at a number of options to replace him. As well as Poulsen, the Reds are also said to be looking at Standard Liege’s Steven Defour but the the Juventus midfielder is the more likely option, according to the paper, as he is a player that Roy knows well. A Danish newspaper has revealed discussions have taken place between the Reds and Juventus, although Poulsen’s agent Joern Bonnesen has not had any contact with the Reds directly. The fee that Juve would demand is believed to be around the £6million mark.