Richard Stearman is said to be a shock target for Liverpool Football Club.

Rafael Benitez is keen to find cover for the injured Glen Johnson, and someone who is capable of forcing his way into the Reds side on a regular basis in coming seasons.

And reports in The Mirror believe the Spanish coach has set his sights on 22-year-old Stearman, who is currently impressing for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The former Leicester City youngster can play at right fullback or in the heart of the back four, and he has made fourteen appearances in the Premier League this term.

A former England Under-21 international, Stearman is under contract at Molineux until the summer of 2012, and Mick McCarthy would be reluctant to let him leave any earlier.

Get all the latest news on your club. Visit 360 Football, the best football news aggregator on the web!