Ajax pair Davy Klaassen and Joel Veltman on Liverpool radar

Liverpool (6/1 shots for the Premier League title) are looking at Ajax duo Davy Klaassen and Joel Veltman to freshen up their midfield support and defence respectively for next season.

Reports have surfaced online over the weekend that attacking midfielder Klaassen, 21, and centre back Veltman, 22, are at the top of Reds boss Brendan Rodgers’ wishlist.

Both Klaassen and Veltman have already been capped at senior level by the Netherlands after breaking into Ajax’s first-team this season.

Frank de Boer’s Amsterdam outfit is a selling club, however, renowned for producing young talent and then cashing in on them.

Klaassen has scored eight goals in 19 league appearances for Ajax this term. He can also play in the hole off a striker, and the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham and Aston Villa are rumoured to be tracking him.

Defender Veltman, meanwhile, has helped Ajax to keep nine of their dozen clean sheets in the Eredivisie this term.

Rodgers has been concerned with his own backline this term, especially in losing performances at Premier League title rivals Manchester City (7/4 before the market was suspended) and Chelsea (odds-on at 5/6) over the festive period.

Veltman is also attracting attention from Liverpool’s bitter rivals Manchester United. Sources claim Red Devils manager David Moyes has sent scouts to the Amsterdam ArenA to run the rule over him as the reigning Premier League champions seek a replacement for outgoing centre back Nemanja Vidic.

Anfield has been home to Dutch stars that have been hit and miss in recent years. Winger Ryan Babel and hard-working forward Dirk Kuyt both plied their trade on Merseyside under Rafa Benitez. Going further back, goalie Sander Westerveld also enjoyed a spell at the Reds.

Back Liverpool to beat United at Old Trafford at 19/10 and in-form striker Daniel Sturridge to score anytime at 6/4.