By Ian Ladyman and Simon Jones

PUBLISHED: 17:15 EST, 4 December 2012 | UPDATED: 17:15 EST, 4 December 2012

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.

And that will not be Rodgers's only move, with Liverpool close to finalising a 12million deal for Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge and the 6m acquisition of his England Under 21 team-mate Thomas Ince.

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

End of the road: Reina could be forced out of Anfield with Arsenal interested in the Liverpool stopper

End of the road: Reina could be forced out of Anfield with Arsenal interested in the Liverpool stopper

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.

Jack's the lad: Rodgers is ready to step up his interest in Butland and he could also swoop for Zieler

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.

Target: Sturridge has failed to hold down a permanent place at Chelsea and could be sold in January

Target: Sturridge has failed to hold down a permanent place at Chelsea and could be sold in January

Sportsmail revealed last month Liverpool's interest in 23-year-old Sturridge and Ince, 20, who was allowed to leave Anfield for Blackpool 18 months ago for 250,000.

Liverpool tried to sign Sturridge in August but the deal fell through at the last minute. The striker joined Chelsea from Manchester City in 2009 for 6.5m but has failed to command a regular place and has made just two appearances this season while struggling with a hamstring injury.

He has still managed 24 goals in 95 games for Chelsea and Rodgers hopes he and Ince can ease the goalscoring burden on Luis Suarez.

Reunion: Ince could return to Liverpool after leaving to join Blackpool only 18 months ago

Reunion: Ince could return to Liverpool after leaving to join Blackpool only 18 months ago

Sturridge's representatives, Octagon, have denied he is seeking a contract of 80,000 a week when he moves and assurances of a central striking role.

A statement read: 'Daniel does not conduct his business in public. He also does not make demands in any negotiation, with regards to salary or playing position.'

Suarez, meanwhile, will start his first Europa League away game for Liverpool as they head to Italy for tomorrow's tie against Udinese.

The comments below have not been moderated.

Ter Stegen and Forster from Celtic would be far better choices in goal, Hooper knows where the goal is and puts in a shift (costing nothing like the greedy Sturridge), Ince should have never been let go, Strootman would be a great option in Midfield, and Klass Jan Huntelaar would score the goals.... - Damian, Elsewhere, Afghanistan, 05/12/2012 03:00 U r a dreamer. Why would those players come to liverfool, they would want to win something and we know pool are not in the position to win anything in the near future. Strootman will go to Utd.

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Reina used to be a very good goalie, but is a liability nowadays. Far too many mistakes and easily beaten on his near post too often. Can't really blame Brenton Rodgers for wanting rid of him.

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LFC need young players who were born in Liverpool and grew up supportign the club. You can spend all the cash you want but you'll never get a hungrier player than a scouser in a red shirt.

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What a load of rubbish, DM. Don't believe a word of it, you can tell it's getting close to the transfer window cos a lot of rubbish starts being written!

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We sold Ince for 250,000 and trying to get him back for 6 million?? Why are we so bad in the transfer dealings I wonder? Same happened when we bought Keane for 19 and later sold him back for 11 or 12.. we need to be better in transfer dealings!!

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Must admit he isn't doing well this year.....just watch when he throws or passes crazy balls to his defenders, some of the back and too moves are just asking for trouble......and he does it 3-4 times a game!!

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Sooner or later things at Anfield MUST settle down, but for the mistake with Carrol, and the average players he has brought in, the January window will show us what he is made of. This transtion needs to have the foundations laid pronto! we cant go on as we are, putting round pegs in square holes every week. I agree it wont happen overnight but the quality of players coming in must be improved, we have enough young players in the squad, who should apply themselves and learn their trade from the experienced players. Re Sterling, he should consider himself lucky and sign the new contract, only when he performs consistantly, becomes an England regular and has achieved something, should he demand his own terms. There have been plenty of players who have had a dozen games or so, and had one international cap, but never made it at the top level, beware Raheem.

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They need to sign about a dozen players.....!

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To be honest Reina has cost LFC so many times since last season, it is just that some of the LFC fans don't want to admit that. Why? ...because it is PEPE REINA, a big name!! Remember now he is the 2nd choice in Spain national team.

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Reina, please leave Liverpool as they are wasting your time. This club is another classic example of a club that used to compete for honors some 100 years a go and are now just contending for a top 13 finish. Look at their flops Gerrard and Carra, they are getting old without a Premier League honors. You wanna be like them and feel sorry for yourself? Please move on.

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