Rafa Benitez is after Espanyol’s £6million-rated winger Albert Riera.
Liverpool will try to offload Argie Sebastian Leto as part of the deal.
Spaniard Reira, who was on loan at Manchester City two years ago, is also interesting Blackburn and Spurs.
Benitez said: “Philipp is still young but has great experience from Dortmund and on the international stage with Switzerland.
”He also played in the Champions League during his time with Basel and so is used to top level football.”
The Kop chief also wants Bordeaux skipper Ulrich Rame, 35, as back-up to first choice keeper Pepe Reina.
Benitez hopes to tempt the French runners-up into a straight swap for his current second choice keeper Charles Itandje.
Rame, a former French international, would have to forego Champions League action for a place on the bench at Anfield, but the Reds hope higher wages and a two-year deal will sway him.
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