Former Liverpool defender Phil Thompson has urged the club to sign Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross.

Jurgen Klopp's side have struggled defensively of late, which was highlighted in last weekend's 5-4 victory over Norwich City and in the team's 3-3 draw against Arsenal.

Shawcross, who is expected to be out of action for around four weeks with a back injury, has been at Stoke since 2008.

"When Liverpool evaluate at the end of the season and look at the sort of goals they conceded, I wouldn't be averse to see them looking towards Shawcross as a solution," Thompson told Sky Sports News.

"In fact, I think he would be absolutely ideal and he's been one of the most underrated centre-backs over the last five seasons. You just have to look at Stoke's stats with and without him."

Liverpool will face Stoke tonight in the second leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final at Anfield.