Liverpooll: Kenny Dalglish closing in on Jose Enrique as fifth signing

Liverpool's search for a new left-back appeared to be over last night with the club on the verge of completing a deal for Newcastle defender Jose Enrique.

The 25-year-old has been on manager Kenny Dalglish's radar for some time, but the two sides have only just agreed a fee, believed to be in the region of 6?million. Enrique arrived at the Reds' Melwood training ground yesterday afternoon for his medical and to discuss personal terms, with a conclusion to the transfer expected today.

In a brief statement, the club said: "Liverpool FC confirmed that they had agreed a fee with Newcastle United for the transfer of Jose Enrique." The Spaniard became a target for Dalglish very early into his second reign as Liverpool manager in January. Left-back has been a problem position over the years and never more so than last season when, with Emiliano Insua sent out on loan to Galatasaray and Fabio Aurelio injured, they were left with just new signing Paul Konchesky, brought in by then manager Roy Hodgson.

The former Fulham player struggled to settle in, and, when he was injured, Hodgson had to resort to playing centre-halves Daniel Agger and Danny Wilson out of position.

Following the arrival of Dalglish, Konchesky's days were numbered and he was loaned out to Nottingham Forest, eventually finding a permanent home in the npower Championship with Leicester this summer.

Providing there are no hitches, the defender will become Dalglish's fifth signing of the summer, following midfielders Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson and back-up goalkeeper Alexander Doni to Anfield.