Babel Hails Team Effort

Liverpool attacker Ryan Babel has hailed the team effort following the victory over Aston Villa on Monday night.

The Reds cruised to a 3-0 win over Villa at Anfield in the Premier League, as Gerard Houllier suffered a disappointing return to his former club.

Dutch forward Babel, 23, netted the second goal just two minutes after David Ngog had given Liverpool a 14th-minute lead, and Maxi Rodriguez made sure of the points in the second half.

Babel was handed a place in the starting line-up following the late withdrawal of Fernando Torres, who was absent due to the birth of his second child, and he was pleased to take his chance, praising a united effort as the reason for the team's success.

"Fernando's circumstances were clear to the team at that point, so the question was who the boss was going to replace him with," he said.

"He chose me and I was very pleased with that. It was good to play the full 90 minutes and to get involved with the team.

"Of course I was happy to score. Scoring a goal is always wonderful and gives any player confidence.

"But at the same time, it was also very important for the team, so I'm very delighted.

"I think the team spirit was very good. We went onto the pitch as a team and we left the pitch as a team.

"For us, we just have to look at each game that's coming and not look too far into the future.

"It's clear we came from a very difficult situation. We're still trying to improve our game in every match we play."

Liverpool endured a woeful start to the campaign under new boss Roy Hodgson but now seem to have turned a corner and they are up to eighth in the league.

Dirk Kuyt paid tribute to the effort of strikers Babel and Ngog, and was also happy with the work rate of the whole team.

"It's not easy to replace someone like Fernando but I thought David and Ryan did really well for us," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"They both scored a goal but it wasn't just that. They also worked really hard for the team and kept the ball well for us. It was a great performance from both of them.

"I thought it was a great team performance and everyone contributed to us getting the three points.

"We played really well from the beginning of the game and got the goals we wanted. Now we need to build on this."

Pepe Reina Tells Teammates To Ignore Transfer Rumours

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has told his team-mates to ignore any talk of new signings and to concentrate on matters on the field.

Following the takeover of the Anfield club by American group New England Sports Ventures (NESV), there have been reports that significant investment will be made to upgrade the squad in the near future.

Despite the potential for new arrivals, Reina has reminded the club’s players that such matters are out of their hands and to instead focus on upcoming matches.

"I am always talking about these things and I don't want to be annoying saying the same things," he said, as quoted by the Press Association.

"We all expect Liverpool to be one of the top clubs and it is on the manager and the new owners to level up that but all we can do is play football and do as well as we can.

"We know anyone can beat anyone and it has happened so many times this season so we have to be consistent and find that balance which makes us stay up there and fight to be as high as possible.

Liverpool earned their fourth consecutive Premier League home victory with a 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Monday and Reina believes that the side is starting to improve after their poor start to the season.

"We are 10 points adrift of the leaders [Arsenal] but it is just some space,” he said.

"Knowing the ideas and keeping the shape and philosophy we have to find ourselves playing with more confidence now and aim a bit higher.

"We are happy just because we have shown, especially in the first halves, better performances and the team has been more consistent and more focused from the first minute.

"That is something which the team lacked in the first 10 matches and now we have found ourselves better from the first minute we have to keep that."

Reina revealed that the team was well aware that their start to the season would be difficult as they adjusted to life under new manager Roy Hodgson following former boss Rafael Benitez’s departure.

However, the 28-year-old believes that the side can start to set their sights higher if they successfully negotiate the upcoming festive period.

“We said when we played Birmingham - the fourth league fixture - we knew it was going to take a while with a new manager, new players coming in and new ideas," he said.

"Hopefully we can once again build from a good home win [against Villa].

"There is never an easy game - we lost to Blackpool at home and we have to play them in Blackpool - and we know the Christmas period is vital, crucial.

"After those four games [up to Bolton on January 1] we can start talking about where the team is going to aim."

Liverpool To Battle Real Madrid For Swiss Right-Back Stephan Lichtsteiner

Liverpool and Real Madrid are both being linked with a move for Lazio's Swiss international right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner.

The 26-year-old is renowned as an attacking right-back and his marauding runs down the right flank have seen him dubbed 'Forrest Gump' in Italy. He is also able to play right-midfield.

Lichtsteiner moved to Lazio from Lille in 2008, having impressed at that summer's European Championships for Switzerland. He has since been a regular feature in the Lazio side and last season formed an exciting attacking full-back partnership with Aleksandar Kolarov.

Italian website Tuttomercato speculates that both Real Madrid and Liverpool are chasing Lichtsteiner. The Spanish giants have been linked with the defender before, but apparently Liverpool's interest is a recent development. There has been recent speculation over the Anfield future of current right-back Glen Johnson, particularly after he was publicly criticized by Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson.

Liverpool Willing To Offer £12 Million For Torres Partner

Liverpool’s owner NESV has set aside £12 million for Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente, although that figure could fall short of the asking price.

The Metro is reporting the Spanish side wants £16 million for the 25-year-old, a price that could be a stretch too far for the American owners.

Liverpool is known to be in the market for a striker and John W Henry has revealed he is willing to splash out on one ‘world class player’ in January.

That player had looked certain to be Eden Hazard but the Belgian is now likely to stay with French club Lille until the summer.

After receiving that news, Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson, as well as director of football strategy Damian Comolli, has turned his attention to Llorente.

The forward knows current Anfield striker Fernando Torres, having been part of the same squad that became World and European champions last July in South Africa.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp also reportedly wants to bring Llorente to White Hart Lane but Torres is likely to convince his friend that Anfield is the right place to be at.

Spanish journalist Guillem Balague, though, feels the Basque striker would be well out of Liverpool’s reach financially and that he will eventually stay in Spain.

Balague wrote on his blog: “Fernando Llorente costs 36m euros - money I don’t think Liverpool have at the moment.

“Llorente is thinking about moving on but I would favour Barcelona over Real Madrid, who will also want him. There will be a fight between those two clubs for his services in the summer.”

Milan Ace Ronaldinho Linked With Liverpool Move

Liverpool are the latest in a long list of clubs pursuing out of favour Milan playmaker Ronaldinho.

The Brazilian, 30, is designed to amuse, but his season thus far has been far from jovial. He has become peripheral to plans under Massimiliano Allegri, who has preferred Robinho.

Ronaldinho's lack of regular football has led to speculation his time will be up in January as promises of a new deal have been placed into the background by Milan.

Itasportpress now claims Liverpool are looking at the former Barcelona man. Roy Hodgson is said to be looking for a creative side-kick to line up alongside Fernando Torres.

Ronaldinho would arrive on a free deal as his contract at Milan expires in June, leaving him free to negotiate with other clubs.

However, Liverpool would have to convince him to drop his €7.5 million per annum wage demands. Los Angeles Galaxy and a host of Brazilian clubs are said to be keen also.

Liverpool Striker Target Wants To Be Next Anfield Hero

Liverpool striker target Cleo has opened the door to a potential January move.

The Partizan Belgrade striker has been on the Anfield radar for some time now, with Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson thought to be keen on the player as a potential foil for Fernando Torres.

Signed by the Serbian SuperLiga outfit in 2009, Cleo has scored more than a goal every other game for the Crno-beli, form which has led to speculation over a move away from the Stadion FK Partizan.

The club are thought to be willing to listen to offers for the player after a valuation in the region of €14 million, and despite previously admitting being in the dark over a link to Liverpool, Cleo has fueled speculation over a potential Anfield switch.

"I will only leave Belgrade if I get an offer which I couldn't say no to," SkySports reports that the player told Serbian reporters.

"Liverpool is one of the biggest clubs in the world and who wouldn't like to play football at Anfield?"

The come-and-get-me plea comes ahead of Partizan's Champions League clash against Arsenal at the Emirates on Wednesday, and Liverpool could send scouts to watch the player in the crunch clash.

"My club will have the last answer. They will do what will be best for them," Cleo concluded to reporters.

Liverpool have money to spend in the January transfer window following the arrival of NESV as new owners at the club, and a transfer war chest in the region of £35 million is thought to be on offer for the former Fulham boss.

A wish list of 'five or six' players is thought to have been drawn up by the Merseyside outfit, but Cleo's admission of a desire to play for Liverpool could change the club's thinking over striker signing options.

Liverpool Closing In On Rennes Defender Rod Fanni

According to a report in L'Equipe, Ligue 1 outfit Rennes is set to part company with France international Rod Fanni. The full-back is continually being linked with a move to Liverpool and Rennes is now supposedly ready to cash in on him.

Liverpool isn’t too pleased with the performances of Glen Johnson at right-back and manager Roy Hodgson is therefore eager to sign a new full-back in the January transfer window. The former Fulham gaffer supposedly sees the 29-year-old Fanni as the perfect signing.

"A decision about the future of Rod Fanni will be made in the next 48 hours," Rennes' general director Pierre Dreossi was quoted as saying.

Fanni has also attracted the interest of Olympique de Marseille, but the right-back has apparently set his sights on a move to the Premier League.

Additionally, Rennes is reluctant to sell Fanni to a domestic rival, meaning that the full-back is probably on his way to the Reds.

Pulis Rules Out Shawcross Sale

Stoke City boss Tony Pulis has warned clubs off making a move for captain Ryan Shawcross.

Liverpool and Manchester United are both thought to be keen on luring the powerful central defender away from the Britannia Stadium.

Reds boss Roy Hodgson is believed to be keen to bring in Shawcross as a replacement for the injured Jamie Carragher.

Former club United have kept an eye on Shawcross' progress at Stoke and they are believed to have watched him in action against Wigan last weekend.

A number of foreign sides are also thought to be tracking the 23-year-old, but Pulis insists Stoke are under no pressure to sell Shawcross.

"We are under no pressure to sell and Ryan is somebody the chairman will not contemplate leaving," said Pulis.

"Ryan could not be happier here and we've also got him on a very good long-term contract.

"Obviously if we were offered ridiculous money, then any club would have to look at it. But we've had no offers as yet and wouldn't welcome any.

"We see Ryan as a major part of our future. He's only progressed since coming here and is now the club captain."

Match report: Liverpool 3 - 0 Aston Villa

Liverpool's stand-in strikers shrugged off the absence of Fernando Torres to secure a comfortable 3-0 victory over Aston Villa and make it an unhappy return to Anfield for former Reds manager Gerard Houllier.

With Torres given the night off to be with his wife Olalla, who had gone into labour with their second child, David Ngog and Ryan Babel ensured he was not unduly missed with first-half goals.

Maxi Rodriguez added the third in the 55th minute to make it four successive Barclays Premier League victories for Liverpool at Anfield.

In truth Villa, like previous visitors West Ham, posed little in the way of a threat but there were some encouraging performances from Liverpool all the same.

Raul Meireles, having been given an extended run in the centre in the absence of the injured Steven Gerrard, is starting to look like an £11million midfielder and was in the midst of most of the hosts good play.

Ngog and Babel will also have gained plenty of confidence from their performances, although they will have to prove they can do it against better opposition than this if they are to have long-term futures at Anfield.

Almost forgotten in all the attacking play was Jose Reina's clean sheet, his 100th in 198 league matches breaking by some considerable distance the previous record held by Reds great Ray Clemence - who took 217 games to reach the landmark.

Houllier, who won five trophies in his six-year spell at Anfield - and four alone in 2001 - to cement his place in the club's history books was welcomed back by a club motif-emblazoned banner on the Kop which read Gerard's Heart Beats.

It may have skipped a beat in only the third minute when Dirk Kuyt volleyed wide after Ngog's two headers from Meireles' right-wing free-kick were not cleared.

Set-pieces were a weakness for Villa all night and they were undone by one in the 14th minute.

Meireles' clipped delivery picked out Martin Skrtel who speared a header back across goal and the diving Ngog could not fail to nod in from barely three yards.

It was the Frenchman's eighth goal of the campaign - although only his second in the league - and it took him past Gerrard as the club's leading scorer this season.

Two minutes later Liverpool had doubled their lead with Babel justifying manager Roy Hodgson's faith to select him up front.

The Dutchman has consistently failed to impress since his £11.5million move from Ajax in 2007 but his goal was an example of the talent - which some would argue he has wasted - at his disposal.

Playing on the shoulder of Stephen Warnock, Babel allowed Lucas Leiva's lofted ball to drop out to his right and he swivelled to smash a shot across Brad Friedel and inside the far post.

Sotirios Kyrgiakos could have made it 3-0 in the 27th minute but planted wide his far-post header from Meireles' free-kick while Babel curled a first-time shot just wide of Friedel's left-hand post from the Portugal international's low cross.

Villa had one chance to get back in the game just after half-time but Gabriel Agbonlahor's close-range shot from Stewart Downing's cross was half-saved by Reina and the ball cleared by Paul Konchesky.

Moments later a counter-attack of brilliant simplicity finished them off.

Reina collected and instantly rolled the ball 30 yards down the middle of the pitch to Rodriguez, who offloaded to Ngog out to the left and then perfectly timed his run to sidefoot home the return pass 40 yards further up the pitch.

Rodriguez looks increasingly at home out on the left and, having scored just one goal in his first five months after joining last January, he now has three in his last seven matches.

Only former Liverpool goalkeeper Friedel prevented a fourth, parrying away Johnson's shot after he had weaved his way into the area.

Kyrgiakos' header from Meireles' corner was cleared off the line by Jonathan Hogg as Villa threatened to buckle completely.

The Kop, as in years gone by, sang the names of Houllier and his assistant Gary McAllister but it was more out of sympathy than anything else.

Hodgson, who has yet to win over the Anfield faithful, stood unmoved on the touchline safe in the knowledge three points were safe - which Houllier would testify is how all managers are ultimately judged.

Pepe Reina Sets Club Record In 100th Shutout With Liverpool

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina is not the first Reds' goalie to record 100 shutouts with the team, but he did it in the fastest amount of time.

Reina earned the century mark after blanking Aston Villa in Liverpool's 3-0 victory on Monday. It was his 198th game with the Reds, surpassing the record set by Ray Clemence, who reached the feat in 217 outings.

Also on the list of Liverpool goalkeepers to notch 100 clean sheets is Bruce Grobbelaar, who picked up his 100th in his 225th match, and Elisha Scott who reached the mark in 283 games.

When it comes to Reina's incredible accomplishment, the Spaniard gives all the credit to his teammates.

"Thanks to the boys because it's up to them," Reina told Sky Sports. "We have a big squad, there are not only three in the team. We have 24 men and we're all here to deliver."

Liverpool To Miss Out On Connor Wickham

Ipswich Town sensation Connor Wickham is ready to reject a move to Liverpool as he wants to join Arsenal or Tottenham in January, Goal.com UK can reveal.

Liverpool are hoping to win the race for the highly regarded striker by meeting the £10 million asking price set by Ipswich.

But Goal.com UK understands Wickham has sparked a battle in north London for his signature by telling Ipswich he favours a move to Arsenal or Spurs.

Tottenham are concerned about the size of the transfer fee but remain in pole position to sign the 17-year-old wonderkid and are prepared to offer £5.5m plus youngsters Andros Townsend and Jake Livermore, who are currently impressing on loan at Portman Road.

It is believed Ipswich would be prepared to accept the offer but may demand Giovani dos Santos on loan to clinch the deal. The Mexican star is out of favour at White Hart Lane and had a successful previous loan spell at Ipswich in 2009.

As Goal.com UK revealed in October, Arsenal have also been scouting Wickham but are yet to make a formal approach for the England under-21 international.

Ipswich were initially determined to hold on to Wickham until at least next summer but now appear ready to sanction a sale in the January transfer window.

Wickham has played just three games this season for the struggling Championship side due to ankle and knee injuries, but that has not deterred the Premier League big guns from making a move for the Colchester-born forward.

The 6ft 3in teenager fits into Liverpool’s new policy of signing the best young English talent and has been identified as an ideal signing by manager Roy Hodgson.

But despite being a Liverpool fan, Wickham does not feel a move to Anfield would be the best decision for his future and director of football strategy Damien Comolli faces an almost impossible task in convincing him to change his mind.

Wickham is understood to have been swayed by the progress of the likes of Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon and Tom Huddlestone at Spurs while Arsene Wenger has a history of nurturing rising stars at Arsenal.

Tottenham were widely reported to have made an £8.5m bid in the summer based largely on appearance and performance-related clauses for the striker, who has been praised for his power, athleticism and finishing.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp believes Wickham will become a regular England international and was given a glowing recommendation by scouts after he starred for England in the European Under-17 Championships last May. He scored both goals in the semi-final win over France and then followed it up with the winner against Spain in the final.

He is the youngest first-team player in Ipswich’s history and has been mainly used as an impact substitute by manager Roy Keane, who is under pressure as his side sit 17th in the Championship following five defeats in a row.

Real Madrid Set To Beat Liverpool To French Youngster Yann Mvila

Spanish giants Real Madrid are preparing a 15 million euros bid for Liverpool target Yann Mvila, Rennes' promising young defensive midfielder.

Mvila burst onto the scene at Rennes last season, displacing former Liverpool player Bruno Cheyrou from the side. Mvila has excellent physical strength and is renowned as an effective ball winner, who is then able to use the ball sensibly. His rapid rise has also been helped by a real maturity in his game.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson travelled to France to watch Mvila play last month. The 20-year-old starred for Laurent Blanc's France side which recently beat England 2-0 at Wembley.

According to Spanish daily AS, Real Madrid have already entered talks with Mvila's agent Ahmed Ouidy with Jose Mourinho keen to make use of the midfielder's strength in the centre of the pitch.

Real Madrid apparently hope to pre-empt any approach from other clubs, primarily an attempt to take Mvila to Anfield, especially given the strong French connections of Damien Comolli, Liverpool's new director of football strategy.

Liverpool Prepare Cut-Price Deal For In-Form Serie A Starlet

Liverpool is reportedly monitoring Palermo midfielder Josip Ilicic.

The Slovenian international has caught the eye of a number of Europe's top clubs with six goals in 13 goals for the Serie A so far this season and, according to German website 4-4-2, Liverpool are ready to step up their pursuit of the 22-year-old.

Bayern Munich will allegedly prove to be Liverpool's main rivals for the signature of the €2.5 million playmaker who - like Anfield hero Steven Gerrard - is famed for his long-range shooting ability.

A deal for Ilicic would serve as further proof that Liverpool owners NESV plan to bring young talent to Anfield in their quest to build a squad for the future.

Liverpool have also been linked with multi-million pound January moves for Ipswich sensation Connor Wickham and Swiss youngster Valentin Stocker, but it has now emerged they may not complete as much business in the New Year as originally reported.

"What it does is hopefully mean the new owners and myself don't have to panic and go out and add numbers to the squad just for the sake of doing so in January," said Reds boss Roy Hodgson after he saw his Liverpool youngsters claim an impressive point against Steaua Bucharest last week.

"It will give us that calmness to say 'look, if we cannot get the quality and type of player we really want, then let's keep the faith in some of these young ones and wait for the right type to come along.

"If the European campaign had gone badly and we'd not picked up a few more points lately, then we could have been looking at the transfer window and saying we've really got to get some more players in because the squad is too thin.

"Now I think we will say 'yes, we would like some new ones with experience, we would like to improve the squad of course, but let's make sure we get the right guys.

"Several have put their hands up now and shown they can be trusted to perform in the Premier League, and that is important because we will be needing them."

Liverpool Plan Swoop For Fulham Man Clint Dempsey

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson will attempt to lure Fulham attacker Clint Dempsey in January. The former Craven Cottage boss has earmarked a move for the American and the poor start to the season under new boss Mark Hughes may lead the 27 year old to consider a move away from the west London side.

Hodgson is reportedly looking to bring in more attacking options and the adaptable Dempsey could well be a very useful addition to his Anfield squad. The £10m rated Texan can play in a number of positions in the final third and now in his fifth season in the Premier League he has shown what he is capable of and arguably has outgrown the Cottagers.

Fulham currently lie in 17th spot in the table having secured just two wins all season but Dempsey has still managed to impress, netting six goals so far in all competitions. However Roy Hodgson may find it hard to persuade Hughes to sell such an integral part of his side and a move would only have a chance of success if the former New England Revolution man pushed for an exit.

Liverpool have found goals hard to come by this season, scoring just 17 goals in 15 Premier League matches and a move for Clint Dempsey would make a great deal of sense as he has the ability to make opportunities for others as well as net relatively frequently himself.

Agent Refuses To Comment On Juventus' Interest In Liverpool Outcast Daniel Agger

Juventus' reported interest in Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has not been confirmed by the player's agent.

The Danish international has not settled in under new manager Roy Hodgson at Anfield, often sidelined by injury and no longer considered an integral part of the team.

The player recently spoke out against his manager, telling the press he expects Hodgson "to have the guts to tell me face to face if he doesn't want me."

When speaking to calciomercato.com, the player's representative would not confirm or deny the Bianconeri's interest in the versatile 25-year-old, only saying "no comment."

The press suggests that Agger's exit could be hastened by the potential arrival of Bolton's Gary Cahill or Stoke's Ryan Shawcross.

Inter and Wolfsburg has also been linked with the World Cup 2010 participant, who joined the Reds in 2006 from Brondby. The player is rated at 214 in the Castrol Rankings.

Hodgson: Liverpool's Progress In The Europa League Could Spell A Quiet January

Roy Hodgson believes that progression in the Europa League means that Liverpool does not have to make any panic purchases in the January transfer window.

The Reds boss has in the past maintained that he needs to bring in a few new faces to strengthen his squad, but booking a spot in the knockout round with a game to spare has given him enough confidence to wait before be makes a move.

It is thought that the Merseyside club may hold off until the summer to sign new players, as there are more options after the end of a season.

"The game in Bucharest gives me a bit more confidence that we can face up to what’s going to be a long, hard season," Hodgson said, according to the Liverpool Daily Post.

"What it does too is hopefully mean the new owners and myself don’t have to panic and go out and add numbers to the squad just for the sake of doing so in January.

"It will give us that calmness to say ‘look, if we cannot get the quality and type of player we really want, then let’s keep the faith in some of these young ones and wait for the right type to come along’.

"If the European campaign had gone badly and we’d not picked up a few more points lately, then we could have been looking at the transfer window and saying we’ve really got to get some more players in because the squad is too thin.

"Now I think we will say ‘yes, we would like some new ones with experience, we would like to improve the squad of course, but let’s make sure we get the right guys’."

Premier League Preview: Liverpool vs Aston Villa

After going on an inspiring run of six games unbeaten in all competitions, Liverpool have slipped into an all too familiar situation that sees them with little room for error. They are well off the pace in the race for fourth place, as 10 points separate them from Manchester City.

And even if the Reds should win this game - which is technically a game in hand - it would still mean that they would have to navigate through a run of form that is seven points better than City’s results. All this would still be fruitless if Tottenham Hotspur, continue to push forward as they did last month.

So saying that the Merseyside club has no room for error is correct if they are realistically chasing fourth spot, which has looked a little unlikely since their morose start to the season.

Manager Roy Hodgson will be without both his skipper Gerrard and his vice-captain Carragher, who are sidelined with injuries. The talismanic England international is expected to be back in time for the next Premier League game against Newcastle United, while centre-half Carragher sustained a dislocated shoulder against Tottenham and surgery has ruled him out for up to three months.

On the other hand there is some encouragement to be taken from Joe Cole’s return to fitness, though his form still poses some concern. But the performances put in by Raul Meireles and Maxi Rodriguez in the recent loss to Spurs is encouragement enough that the home side can still pose a potent threat in the absence of Gerrard.

Another positive is that the manager rested several players during the midweek tie against Steaua Bucharest, when the team secured qualification into the knockout round of the Europa League. Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt, Raul Meireles, Glen Johnson and Paul Konchesky played no part in the game against the Romanian side, while Lucas’ last minute appearance can barely be termed an exertion.

Meanwhile, Torres’ form has been a bit of a concern as he has been slightly off colour this season, though there have been a few flashes of brilliance that remind supporters what he is capable of. And in the absence of key players, it may be up to the Spaniard to produce a performance worthy of winning the game.

Gerard Houllier still talks fondly about his time as manager of Liverpool, and the trip to his former home will likely be an emotional one.

The Frenchman guided the Reds to an historic cup treble in 2001, when they won the League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup (forerunner of the Europa League). He even guided the club to a second-placed finish in the top-flight, which they have failed to better since - though they did equal it and come tantalisingly close to winning the Premier League under his successor Rafael Benitez.

Houllier, though, ran into a wall of criticism during a portion of his reign at Anfield as his tactics were at times viewed as one-dimensional while his signings were also subject to some criticism. In particular, his failure to get the team playing creatively during the latter part of his tenure led to a strained relationship with the upper echelon of the club that ultimately led to an exit by mutual consent.

He returned to manage French heavyweights Lyon and took a break from club management during a spell with the French FA before returning to the hotseat, and England, to succeed Martin O’Neill at Aston Villa.

The Ulsterman was a real favourite at Villa Park, but left suddenly - just before the start of the season – owing to a disagreement with owner Randy Lerner. As yet the 63-year-old replacement has been unable to play saviour and rescue the club convincingly from the fall-out following the popular O'Neill's departure; but he could alleviate the situation by master-minding a victory over his former employers.

To accomplish this, Houllier will have to spur his side to produce something different, as they have only one win away from home this season – against Wolverhampton Wanderers, which is hardly a major feat as they are currently languishing at the bottom of the standings.

Having been unable to fill every unforgiving minute with 60 seconds worth of distance run, Villa find themselves in rough weather as they have won only one game in their last seven outings in all competitions. What is worse is that they have lost their last three matches, with the late strike by Nikola Zigic in the Birmingham derby proving to be a real League Cup quarter-final heartbreaker at St Andrew’s.

The time for redemption is ripe, but the question is whether the Villans can muster the sort of performance that will earn them three points at Anfield.

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Steven Gerrard (hamstring) remains on the sidelines owing to the injury sustained whilst on international duty, but now the club’s vice-captain Jamie Carragher (dislocated shoulder) has joined the skipper on the sidelines - and is expected to remain out of action for three months having undergone surgery.

Sotirios Kyrgiakos should come in and take the role of the vice-captain like he did against Steaua Bucharest in midweek, while Daniel Agger (calf) has not yet recovered from injury.

Jay Spearing (ankle) is not in contention to make an appearance, though it remains unlikely that he would have been given a look in even if fit.

Joe Cole, Milan Jovanovic and Christian Poulsen are all in contention to play a part in this fixture, with the former Chelsea midfielder in particular having a chance of playing behind Torres owing to Gerrard’s injury. But manager Roy Hodgson will likely opt to go with David Ngog to partner the Spaniard since Cole is only just back from injury.

Possible starting line-up: Reina, Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Konchesky; Kuyt, Meireles, Lucas, Maxi; Ngog, Torres.

Aston Villa

Stiliyan Petrov and Fabian Delph (both knee) are unavailable due to injury and are only expected to return in the new year. Steve Sidwell (Achilles) is also out until Christmas.

Midfielder Barry Bannan (groin) is rated as a doubt for this game, and is unlikely to feature at Anfield. But Marc Albrighton, Nigel Reo-Coker and Emile Heskey have all made significant progress in returning from their respective injuries. However, this game may be a little early for the trio.

Ashley Young picked up his fifth yellow card of the season during the volatile midweek clash in the League Cup against Birmingham City, and will serve a one-match suspension so is unavailable for this game.

Stephen Ireland could make the starting line-up in the absence of Bannan, while Robert Pires and youngster Jonathan Hogg could also be in line to play from the first whistle.

Possible starting line-up: Friedel; L Young, Dunne, Collins, Warnock; Clark, Hogg; Pires, Ireland, Downing; Agbonlahor.

Manchester United & Liverpool Eye Bolton Wanderers Boss Owen Coyle As Potential Next Manager

Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle is being lined up by Manchester United and Liverpool, respectively, with a view to becoming their manager should Sir Alex Ferguson retire or Roy Hodgson lose his job, according to a report in The Mirror.

Coyle – named Premier League manager of the month for November - joined Bolton from neighbours Burnley less than a year ago in January 2010.

Since then, Coyle has turned Bolton from relegation candidates into European challengers, as well as coaching them to play some of the most attractive football in the Premier League.

Bolton currently lie sixth in the table on 23 points and are the fourth highest scoring team in the league with 28 goals.

Chairman Phil Gartside said: “Our results and performances have improved greatly and that is a measure of Owen’s influence.

“We’ve virtually the same players that he inherited, but he’s got the best out of them, playing in a style that is attractive as well as effective.”

It is believed that many Bolton fans are resigned to losing Coyle at some point and are bracing themselves should Ferguson retire at the end of the season.

Liverpool Move For £10 Million New Torres Partner Given Go Ahead

Bolton boss Owen Coyle has admitted he would not stand in Johan Elamander’s way, should he wish to leave the club in January.

Elmander is Bolton's record-signing after joining the club from Toulouse for around £10 million in 2008, and the 29-year-old has been in magnificent goalscoring form of late – which has seen him linked heavily with a move to Liverpool.

The Sweden international could be available on a free transfer in the summer, but Bolton are reportedly prepared to cash-in come the New Year should one of his suitors meet their valuation.

And Coyle now admits that he would completely understand if Elmander decided to progress his career elsewhere.

"Ultimately, if and when - it's hypothetical at the moment - something came out and he said, 'I'd like to try that', I wouldn't have any problem with it," Coyle revealed, according to Sport.co.uk.

"He has been fantastic for me. The relationship I have got with him is great, it is very upfront and we are quite open with each other. If in January a top club, a Champions League club, came in for Johan, it would only be natural that he would turn his head at that.

"It's never going to faze me, I'm not going to get upset about it. Ultimately, Johan has to do the right thing for him and his family."

Elmander’s recent performances have led to Bolton launching a surprise assault on the Champions League places and have also reportedly caught the eye of Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson.

Hodgson has made no secret of his desire to add more potency to his Anfield attack after admitting that Liverpool rely too heavily on Kop heroes Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.

And, with Torres' chequered injury history, Hodgson is keen to strengthen his striking ranks and is thought to be interested in bringing Elmander to Liverpool.

Should Liverpool decide to move for Elmander, they will reportedly have to fight off interest from Stoke and Newcastle.

Benfica striker Oscar Cardozo and Japan sensation Keisuke Honda have also been linked with January moves to Anfield as Liverpool look to bolster their attacking options.

Damien Comolli Lines Up French Signings At Liverpool

Liverpool's director of football strategy, Damien Comolli is apparently lining up bids for as many as five French based players.

According to The People, Comolli has been told to target players in their early-20s by Liverpool's owners. Comolli is using his knowledge of the game in France to target some of Ligue Un's finest young talents in January and next summer.

Topping the list is Lille's Belgian wonderkid, midfield playmaker Eden Hazard, who scored against Liverpool in the Europa League last season. According to The People, the Reds will also target striker Loic Remy, who moved to Marseille over the summer. St Etienne's attacking midfielder Dimitri Payet and Lille centre-back Adil Rami have also been identified by Comolli as possible targets.

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund's highly rated Serbian centre-back Neven Subotic is also reported to be a Liverpool transfer target.

The People comments that the Anfield club will also need to offload players, naming Glen Johnson, Daniel Agger, Ryan Babel and Fabio Aurelio as possible current stars to be sold in order to raise funds for new signings.