Liverpool are in desperate need of rejuvenating the ranks following a landslide of a collapse from the imperious standing among Europe's most prominent outfits this term, and Antonio Silva could bring fresh life to the ranks...

What's the word?

With Jurgen Klopp's Reds currently sitting in sixth place in the Premier League, four points off fourth-placed Manchester United - who have a game in hand - and with a clear detrimental dip in cohesion and collective understanding within the squad, someone of Silva's ilk could stamp the foundation into a new chapter at the club.

According to O Jogo (via the Liverpool Echo), Liverpool have been intrigued by the young star's skill set for a considerable amount of time and will mull over a lunge at SL Benfica to entice the player into a package on Merseyside.

However, with a €100m (£88m) release clause, the Reds' technical director Julian Ward might have a strenuous task on his hands in prising him away from his outfit's clutches this winter.

Klopp's Van Dijk heir

If Liverpool are indeed unable to make any ground on the phenom over the next several weeks, the interest in his services must be filed and stored in the folder branded urgent within the transfer department.

For a side that have conceded 22 goals already this term after just 17 games in the Premier League, a signing of genuine star quality, capable of cementing their presence into the Anfield fold and dominating in front of the goal would go down a treat.

And he has every bit the calibre required to do just that; plying his trade in the Benfica reserve team last year, Silva has now made 22 senior appearances for his club this season, scoring three goals.

It's also worth noting that Liverpool's current options will not be around forever: the established Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip are both 31-years-old, and with Silva yet to quite cast his formative years aside, he could be a worthy addition for the next decade at the club.

Silva would be wise to attempt to emulate Van Dijk in particular, with the Dutch sensation arriving on Merseyside in a £75m deal from divisional rivals Southampton, going on to make 205 appearances, scoring 18 goals and winning a wealth of major honours, including the Premier League and the Champions League.

Jamie Carragher lauded the 19-year-old as a "superstar", and he certainly is a diamond in the making, one that will soon flourish on the biggest stage, and Klopp must act swiftly to ensure that his future lies under the lights at Anfield.