Butland and Zieler lined up by Liverpool as long-term replacement for under-performing Pepe Reina

Pepe Reina's future at Liverpool is under threat, with manager Brendan Rodgers considering January moves for Birmingham's England goalkeeper Jack Butland or young German prospect Ron-Robert Zieler.

Rodgers has been unsure about Reina, 30, since he arrived in the summer and wants a long-term replacement.

The Liverpool boss almost moved to sign England international Butland in the summer but held off. Now he is ready to step up his interest in the 19-year-old when the transfer window opens. 

Zieler, meanwhile, is one of the best keepers in Germany and is contracted to Hannover with a £12.2m buy-out clause. Having started his career at Manchester United, the 23-year-old joined Hannover in 2010 and has played more than 70 games. He also has two full Germany caps.

Reina has missed part of the season with a hamstring injury and one of Rodgers's problems is that No 2 keeper Brad Jones has failed to convince. 

A possible destination for Reina is Arsenal, who tried to buy him two-and-a-half years ago, and he could even be part of a deal to entice Theo Walcott. 

But that depends on whether Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger still considers a keeper to be a priority.

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Source: DailyMail