Roy Hodgson Says He Needs To Bring In His Own Players

Roy Hodgson feels the Liverpool side he inherited from Rafael Benítez is starting to feel like his own with every passing game, but admits it would take an influx of players akin to that overseen by Harry Redknapp at Tottenham before he can make his own mark on the club.

After a turbulent opening six months at Anfield — a period in which the 63 year-old acknowledges he struggled to transmit his beliefs to his new squad, suggesting he “could not identify with a lot of things that happened on the pitch” — Hodgson appears to have settled on both system and personnel.

He is likely to begin his work shaping the squad to his own wishes as soon as the transfer window opens in January —selling Milan Jovanovic could be his first task with Cologne and Hamburg interested — but insists this will not be a Liverpool team cast in his own image for some time to come.

“It is starting to feel more like my side,” the Liverpool manager said. “But it is still a team that I have not put together. I want to make that clear. I took the team over and I have not made that many changes. I brought in [Paul] Konchesky to play left back, Raul Meireles to replace [Javier] Mascherano and Joe Cole came in at the same time as me as well as Christian Poulsen. The other players I have inherited.

“I think I would be a good comparison with Tottenham because Harry [Redknapp] came in there just as I came into Fulham so he will just be completing three years and he has brought in a lot of players. So to really call it my team, I would have had to make a slightly bigger impact on those who have been brought in.

“I am more than happy to take responsibility for this squad but it takes a coach more than five or six months to make his stamp on a club. I am hoping we will do some good business in transfer windows to come and then I will be able say, ‘If you don’t like it then I have no one to blame but myself’.”

Ryan Babel: I Prefer Playing Under Roy Hodgson Than Rafael Benitez

Ryan Babel insists that he would like to remain at Liverpool, while praising Roy Hodgson's style of management.

The Dutchman arrived at the club in 2007 after the Reds had carved out a €16.5 million deal with Ajax for his services.

But his stay on Merseyside saw him being only fringe player under former boss Rafael Benitez, with whom he shared a frosty relationship that saw him wanting to leave the club.

Hodgson's approachable nature, however, appears to have had a positive impact on the player.

"It's not up to me whether I see my future here, it's up to Liverpool," Babel said, according to The Mirror.

"This is my fourth season so it's up to them what they do. I have one more year at the end of this season left on my contract and I would like to stay.

"It has been frustrating here as a player, but it's not changed my loyalty towards the club. It's more with the manager. The club is fantastic. But if a manager doesn't like you it's between you and the manager.

"The club is amazing and there are still a lot of fans who believe in me so that gives me a goal. They [Hodgson and Benitez] are different. The current manager does things differently, and maybe that suits me better.

"When he arrived he was closer with the team, talking to players, and maybe that gives the players a boost to respond better.

"He's more involved day to day with the players. He does things differently. Under Rafa the assistant managers took a lot of responsibility but that is different now.

"I hope this country hasn't seen the best of me yet. The maximum number of games I've played in a row is four and it's difficult for any player to find consistency if you're not playing every week."

Benitez deployed Babel largely on the flanks, but his successor has chosen to play him in his preferred position as a striker.

He said: "I think first of all I'm just enjoying the opportunity to play and I am trying to make the most of it.

"But that position [central] suits me a bit better because you can use most of your energy up front. Maybe on the wing you have to defend a bit more and maybe that suits me less.

"The striker role, together with someone else, is pretty good for me."

In the recent Europa League game against Utrecht, Babel was supposed to start alongside Fernando Torres. But the Dutchman was surprised that the boss chose to go back on his word and keep the Spaniard out of the starting line-up instead.

"I only found Fernando wasn't playing an hour before the game," he said. "The day before the game we were working together. I've never played up front with Fernando and I was looking forward to it but maybe the manager wanted to give him some rest."

Milan Jovanovic Set For Quick Liverpool Exit

Liverpool is prepared to let Milan Jovanovic leave during the January transfer window with the forward having failed to make an impact at Anfield.

Last season, Jovanovic scored 13 goals and provided four assists for Belgian side Standard Liege in 32 appearances, before starring for Serbia at the World Cup, prompting Liverpool to snap him up.

However, he has scored just two goals for Liverpool so far, finding the net in the League Cup against Northampton Town and at Steaua Bucharest. The striker has featured mainly in the Europa League for Roy Hodgson's side, enjoying few Premier League opportunities.

The Daily Mail reports that Liverpool would be happy to let the 29-year-old leave Anfield as Hodgson looks to re-shape his squad. Jovanovic is reportedly interested in a move to the Bundesliga, although he was recently linked with Turkish side Trabzonspor.

Bayern Munchen Join Race For Unsettled Glen Johnson

Bayern München are interested in unsettled Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson, according to German sources.

The 26-year-old appears to be on his way out of Anfield, and Liverpool are said to be in the hunt for a replacement, accepting that Johnson wants to leave.

Real Madrid and Juventus FC Torino are also reportedly after the England man, who Liverpool has valued at €14 million.

Johnson arrived at Liverpool last summer from Portsmouth, and performed solidly last season. However, he has suffered this term from both injuries and a dip in form.

There is no guarantee Johnson will break into the Bayern first team though, with Philipp Lahm currently the first-choice right-back at the Bavarian outfit.

Danny Murphy Guarantees Roy Hodgson Will Provide Liverpool with Top Four Finish

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes if the Anfield club shows a little more faith then Roy Hodgson will lead them back into the top four.

Murphy worked under Hodgson at Fulham before the 63-year-old made the summer switch to Anfield and readily admits he stands as one of the manager’s biggest fans.

And though Hodgson has come under immense pressure at Anfield for a series of poor results so far this season, Murphy still maintains that the ex-Finland coach is the man to get it right.

"If I was a betting man, I would guarantee [Liverpool] are going to finish in the top four", said Murphy.

"The club is in a bit of a predicament, but you couldn’t ask for a more humble gentleman to deal with that. I didn’t want to see him go (from Fulham), but football success generally means that people move on."

Murphy does accept that Liverpool have had a difficult start under Hodgson, but believes the club’s fans understand what is achievable at present and will eventually reap the rewards for keeping faith in the manager.

"You will get a more successful Liverpool there this season, but the fans are realistic at the moment about what’s achievable."

Babel Receives Utrecht Apology

FC Utrecht has given an official apology to Liverpool's Ryan Babel for the way their fans abused his mother in the Europa League tie at Anfield on Thursday night.

Utrecht fans baited Babel with chants about his mother being a whore constantly throughout the match, something the Dutch club were clearly unhappy about and felt they needed to act upon.

Babel said: "It was not nice for me. I know why they did it. It has everything to do with the fact that I have an Ajax background.

"Ajax is the biggest rival club of Utrecht. Although I have left there four years ago and class myself as a real Liverpool player, they see it differently."

Utrecht chairman Jan Willem van Dop said: "I contacted Dirk Kuyt, who used to be a Utrecht player, for Ryan’s details.

"Once I got them I wrote to Ryan and offered him our apologies. Stuff like that should not be said by our fans."

'Our Objective For 2011'

In the final Academy column of 2010, Technical Manager, Josep Segura reflects upon the Youth Cup success against Notts County and looks ahead to the challenges they will face in 2011.

We had a big victory in the Youth Cup on Thursday night and our players produced a fantastic performance.

Notts County were a good team but we showed that we have some talented players coming through the ranks. It was a thoroughly professional performance, particularly in the second half.

The 4-0 win has obviously made everyone here at the Academy very happy ahead of the Christmas break. But I must stress it is not just a question of winning one football match.

The most important thing for Liverpool is that these players aged 16, 17 and 18 years old go on to become professionals with this club.

This is our target. We are very happy with the victory but it is not our major objective. It is clear that we must strive to produce great players to play for Liverpool Football Club for years to come and hopefully they can help us to win many trophies at first-team level.

It is not an easy challenge for us but it is one that we must work hard to make a reality with every passing day.

When I was at Barcelona we won the equivalent of the Youth Cup at U18 level. Everyone was delighted and it is a great memory. But only five players went on to become professionals with the first-team.

It would be fantastic if we can go on to enjoy great success in the Youth Cup this season but we must always ask ourselves how many will be first-team players of the future?

That is the main thing.

Having said that, I feel we have made good progress since I arrived here in the summer of 2009. The Academy is growing and the level of our players is growing too.

I said when I made the move here that the opportunity to work for such a great club was one I could not turn down. If you add to that the fact that I get to work with good people like Frank McParland and Kenny Dalglish then you can see why it is such a wonderful opportunity.

They have both shown great support to me since I came here and for the overall playing philosophy I have introduced. My role is a very specific one that dictates our daily routine. I focus upon the overall style we want from our players and teach the coaches to follow this line of thinking.

Obviously playing in stadia with a rich history like Meadow Lane also adds to the development of these youngsters and it is nice that the fourth round draw offers some of them the chance to sample Anfield for the very first time.

It will be a difficult game for us because Crystal Palace are top of the FA Premier Academy League Group A. That section includes teams like Arsenal and Chelsea so we know it will be a good test and that it won't be easy - but that's the idea I want to install into the heads of all the players, that nothing is easy.

You must work hard for everything you want to achieve.

At this moment, we are all happy and have worked hard, so we can go on our holidays in a happy mood. Everyone is pleased with the job we have done. We will have a good rest and come back in the New Year fresh for the challenges that await, aiming to ensure that this great club is blessed with some of the best homegrown players of the future.

Konchesky - Get Behind Roy

Liverpool defender Paul Konchesky has urged fans to get behind manager Roy Hodgson after a tricky start to his reign.

The Reds have struggled this season under the former Fulham boss and certain sections of fans have called for Hodgson's head even at this early stage of his tenure.

Left-back Konchesky, who followed Hodgson to Anfield from Craven Cottage, insists the experienced coach can succeed on Merseyside and believes he has the right formula on the pitch.

"I know right now the fans obviously want a different style of football, but I think his style will work here," said Konchesky in the Daily Express.

"The supporters need to get behind him a bit more.

"He wants to be at the top. He isn't happy about us being eighth and ninth. I knew coming to Liverpool that the expectations would be different to Fulham, but I didn't fully understand by how much until I got here.

"Every single person in Liverpool wants their team to be back in the top four. The pressure is high, but it's also good because you have to show people what you are about.

"The league is funny this season. It's not just Liverpool not winning matches. It gives us a chance of getting back up there, especially if we do well over Christmas when we'll have players coming back from injury."

Konchesky has also come in for criticism since his switch to Liverpool with certain quarters saying he is not good enough for the club.

"I've seen and heard that said, but people would have to tell me what a Liverpool player is to them," he added.

"At first my form struggled and I was injured, but lately I've got myself fit and have done all right. I want to do better but, in a way, I think it's easy for people to say things about me.

"I haven't been here before and I am one of the manager's signings.

"People have an opinion of me now. After a few months, if we finish fourth or fifth, would their opinion of me be different? I will get on with it, get over it and prove them all wrong."

Hodgson's Challenge To Duo

Roy Hodgson has spoken of his delight after two of his most promising talents Martin Kelly and Daniel Pacheco recently signed new contracts that will keep them at Anfield until 2014.

The boss said it was a reward for their work in training and he has now challenged the pair to show they can break into the first-team on a regular basis.

"I'm very pleased with the news," Hodgson told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"I'm also pleased for both the players they've done well with the chances they've been given and they are both working very hard in training.

"When you have got young quality players like them who you have invested time and money in then it's important to keep them at the club - otherwise someone else gets the benefit of the investment you've put in - not only money but terms of your coaching of the players.

"I'm pleased they are staying and it's up to them to really push hard whenever they get a chance and make sure they get into the first team as quickly as possible."

Manchester City Back In For Liverpool Star Fernando Torres

Manchester City could be prepared to table a bid of £50 million to bring Liverpool’s star striker Fernando Torres to Eastlands in the January transfer window.

City are desperate to fill the boots of Carlos Tevez after it emerged recently that he wants out of the Manchester club, according to The News of the World.

Torres could be the player whom City manager Roberto Mancini brings in should his Argentine striker leave for pastures new.

An exit clause in the Spanish striker’s contract could force Liverpool to sell if a bid of £50m is tabled.

It is understood that Torres would still prefer a move to Chelsea ahead of City, and that the forward would prefer to wait for the summer, when he would have more time to consider his options.

Though Mancini will be able to out-bid any transfer rivals, with a reported £250,000-a-week package being considered, it is trophies, not financial rewards, that Torres is craving.

The prospect of playing Champions League football is looking ever more doubtful for Liverpool, who have struggled so far this season, and a move away from the Merseyside club could be necessary if the striker wants to play in Europe’s top competition.

City have been pursuing Torres for two years now, seeing a £60m bid for the star rejected 18 months ago.

City’s position in the world of football has strengthened since then and as a result he could be tempted to sign for the club.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, Roman Abramovich would have to table a bid reminiscent of his early days at Chelsea should he want to bring the player to Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool’s official line is that Torres is not for sale, though given the striker’s recent form and the club’s current position in the table, a big enough bid could see a parting of the ways that is profitable for all concerned.

Both City and Chelsea could, though, face competition from Barcelona, as it is also reported that the Catalan giants, financially re-invigorated following a lucrative shirt sponsorship deal, are contemplating an £85m summer swoop for both Torres and their long-time target, Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.

Comolli Rules Out French Raid

Liverpool director of football strategy Damien Comolli has ruled out a raid on former employers St Etienne.

Having linked up with the Reds, one of Comolli's duties at Anfield is to unearth potential new recruits.

He has plenty of prior experience in that field, having previously taken in spells at the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

His last post before arriving on Merseyside was at Ligue 1 outfit St Etienne, who have a reputation for youth development.

Having helped maintain that fine work, it was expected that Comolli would be tempted to return to his homeland and cherry pick the best talent.

He has, however, assured St Etienne that he has no plans to return to the club with a Liverpool chequebook, while he has also lifted the lid on the reasons behind his decision to take on a new challenge in England.

"I feel like a new person at Liverpool," Comolli told L'Equipe.

"It makes a nice change to have some clarity from the shareholders. On a daily basis my work has become a lot easier.

"I would like to point out, though, that I told coach Christophe Galtier that I will not destabilize his changing room. I have made no contact with any St Etienne player.

"Why did I resign? Because I didn't feel on the same wavelength as the club anymore.

"I reached a point where there was no project left. Until the end of the summer market everyone let me work on my own and they were pleased with my efforts.

"Then, the relationship deteriorated. We promised to stay together until the end of the season, but I couldn't stand it anymore."

Liverpool Target Former City Striker As Next Anfield Hero

Liverpool are being linked with a January loan move for England U21 international Daniel Sturridge.

The Chelsea forward is thought to be considering his options after failing to earn a regular starting place in the Blues line-up, and the club is reportedly aware of Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson's interest.

Reds chief Hodgson is thought to be in the market for an attacking foil for Fernando Torres, and Sturridge is the latest in a long line of players linked with a January move to Anfield.

Mario Gomez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Ola Toivonen are other names thought to be in the frame for a Liverpool switch, and Hodgson reportedly has a list of 'five or six' players to move for at the first opportunity.

The Sunday People claim that Sturridge is one of the players being targeted by the Merseysiders, with a January loan switch planned before a permanent £5 million move to Liverpool takes place in the summer.

A product of the Manchester City academy, Sturridge left the Citizens in 2009 after a contract dispute with the Eastlands club.

Despite moving on a free, Chelsea were forced to pay Manchester City a £3.5 million fee following a tribunal hearing, with additional add-ons if Sturridgle plays a certain amount of games for the Stamford Bridge outfit.

Manchester City will also be entitled to 15% of any potential future sale, which could come in to the equation here if Liverpool made a permanent move in June, July or August.

The English national paper also claims that Hodgson is set to open talks with the current champions in the coming weeks, and that the Liverpool boss knows the player well and will hope to use the relationship in any potential negotiations.

An original loan move is thought to appeal to all parties involved, and has potential as the Blues no longer consider Liverpool title rivals this season.

Qatar Cash Injection To Fuel Barcelona Bids For Fernando Torres

Barcelona's shirt sponsorship deal with the Qatar Foundation will reportedly allow the Catalans to launch fresh bids next summer for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

Barcelona's coffers have been running dry, but the Spanish giants have just agreed to a shirt sponsorship deal for the first time in the club's history, coming to a £125million agreement with the Qatar Foundation.

The Sunday Mirror reports that the fresh injection of cash means that Barcelona will look to sign Liverpool's Fernando Torres over the summer.

Torres has experienced a difficult few months. He endured a personally disappointing World Cup and has had an indifferent season so far, showing his quality in flashes such as his double strike for Liverpool against Chelsea.

'El Nino' is thought to have questioned the ambition of the Anfield club in the past and the prospect of honours at the Nou Camp could prove tempting.

Eden Hazard Open To Liverpool FC Move

Eden Hazard has revealed that he would be open to a move to Liverpool after snubbing a summer switch to Chelsea.

Arsenal is currently in the hunt for the highly-rated Belgian winger, 19, as are Real Madrid following recommendations from club legend Zinedine Zidane.

But a move to the Bernabeu looks to be off the cards after Hazard admitted that he would not leave Lille for a club where his development would be hindered by a lack of opportunities.

Roy Hodgson saw Hazard in action on a recent scouting trip to France and he admits that he would not oppose a move to Anfield despite the Emirates being his preferred choice due to the increased opportunities for players to make their mark at senior level.

"I could have gone [to Chelsea] last June, but I was not ready to make that big leap," said Hazard.

"Recently, the press has been writing about interest from Liverpool, and it is nice to hear your name being mentioned everywhere, especially with the best teams in the world.

"If I do leave at the end of the season, I don't want to go somewhere I will be on the bench, and it will be difficult to break through in a team like Real, where Ronaldo and Kaka will be my competitors.

"But there are teams like Arsenal, where youngsters can grow more easily into the first team and make their mark.

"I will not leave for another French club because, with 100 matches under my belt for Lille, I don't think I have to prove my qualities for a team in the same league."

Liverpool lost out to Arsenal in their pursuit of former Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh, who signed for Arsene Wenger on a free transfer at the end of last season.

Defender Injury Update

Andre Wisdom’s dream of featuring for Liverpool’s first-team this season is still on course after it was revealed he will return from injury early in the New Year.

The 17-year-old defender produced a string of imperious displays at the heart of the reserves' defence earlier this term but saw his hopes of earning a call-up to Roy Hodgson's squad curtailed by a serious knee injury sustained while on international duty.

However, his rehabilitation is going well and he is now on the comeback trail.

Reserve team boss John McMahon told us: "Andre is progressing nicely. He starts jogging in January so his target will be the end of February really."

Fulham Game Called Off

Liverpool Football Club have confirmed that today's game against Fulham has been postponed. The decision has been ratified by the Premier League.

A Liverpool spokesman commented: "Club officials met with the Police this morning to assess the prevailing weather conditions.

"The safety of all fans attending the game is paramount and although the Anfield pitch is playable, the conditions around the stadium and further afield for people travelling to the match are such that the decision was taken, following Police advice on safety grounds, to postpone the game.

"All existing tickets will remain valid for the re-arranged fixture. We will also offer refunds and publish a deadline date for refunds once the re-arranged game date is announced, to enable us to re-sell any returned seats to other supporters.

"Any guests who have purchased hospitality for the game are advised to retain their tickets as they will be valid for the new date. We will advise all supporters of the new date as soon as possible."

Premier League Preview: Liverpool vs Fulham

Liverpool have had alternating wins and losses in the Premier League for a few weeks now, and are steadily slipping off the pace in the hunt to secure European football for next season.

Competing in the Europa League is already a step downwards for a club that is generally considered as one of the heavyweights of continental football, and not competing in either one of the two competitions would put the club in a precarious position.

The stars have not yet begun to leave, perhaps hoping for a turn in the tide since the recent takeover by New England Sports Ventures. But if the results are not forthcoming, the sense of doom and gloom around Anfield may plummet even further.

However, the Reds have been particularly strong at home this term, as they have lost just one league game in their own backyard. Since losing to Blackpool, they have gone six games unbeaten at Anfield in all competitions, winning five of them in the process.

And the return of Fernando Torres to the starting line-up should also prove to give the side a much needed boost, having missed him during the draw with Utrecht in the Europa League. But more importantly, skipper Steven Gerrard could be back for this one, which would be a major plus for a team looking to push upwards in the league.

Fulham are well known to be poor on their travels, and their winless run away from home has stretched on to well over a year. In fact, it is now 16 months since the London-based club took three points in the league on their travels.

This will certainly worry manager Mark Hughes, since going without victories away from home leaves much to be done at Craven Cottage. And sitting level on points with 18th placed Wigan Athletic proves how costly their travel sickness has become.

Should such a syndrome continue much longer, it could even see the side plunge into the dreaded drop zone.

Even if Hughes’ charges are allowed to go scot free on one count of travel sickness, they are found guilty of exhibiting a generally poor form. That they have only a solitary victory from their last 14 games in all competitions is proof enough that a victory would be welcomed with open arms - not that it would not have been welcomed under any circumstances, only that the same feeling would be a lot more exemplified in this case.

Fulham have also not registered a win in their last 23 visits to Anfield, which makes a victory look like a pipe dream if one goes by statistics. But football is far from all that, and there’s many a slip between the cup and the lip, and Anfield could be the place where the visitors break their hoodoo.

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

There have been reports that manager Roy Hodgson could choose not to rush skipper Steven Gerrard back into action, and give him a spot on the bench instead. The Kop favourite has been absent since sustaining a hamstring injury whilst on international duty.

David Ngog is also a doubt for this one after a head injury in the club’s last league game, but the Frenchman is expected to return in time to make the line-up.

Daniel Agger (calf), Jamie Carragher (shoulder) and Jay Spearing (ankle) all remain on the sidelines.

Possible starting XI: Reina; Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Konchesky; Kuyt, Meireles, Lucas, Maxi Rodriguez; Ngog, Torres.

Fulham

Moussa Dembele could return to the team after overcoming an ankle injury that saw him miss the last four matches, but he would likely have to settle for a spot on the bench.

Bobby Zamora (leg) and Philippe Senderos (calf) remain long-term absentees and are expected to return only next year.

But otherwise manager Mark Hughes has no new concerns ahead of this game.

Possible starting XI: Schwarzer; Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Salcido; Davies, Murphy, Etuhu, Dempsey; Gera; Kamara.

Hodgson Eyes January Arrivals At Anfield

Roy Hodgson wants to bring fresh faces to Anfield in January – but admits he has no idea what he’ll be given to spend.

The Reds have been linked with a host of names in recent weeks after picking up a number of injuries and enduring a difficult start to the season.

And Hodgson admits he’ll do business when the transfer window re-opens if the club’s new owners allow him to.

He said: “I can only hope we get some of the injured players back and I can also hope if there is any possibility of transfers in the January window that will help us and make us a better team that I’ll be given the opportunity to take those players.

“My ambition to improve the squad is shared by the owners but we’ll have to wait and see what possibilities there are and what they would like to do.”

Hodgson admits Anfield holds the key to Liverpool’s chances of finishing high up the Premier League table.

The Reds take on Fulham at home this weekend, while Wolves, Bolton and Everton will also head to Anfield within the next month.

And Hodgson said: “Four games out of six [at home] is important because Anfield has been good to us in recent weeks. We’ve won games there and taken points and the crowd has a bearing. Their support is very, very important for us.

“We are playing a lot of those teams who are around us or even below us in the table so there’s a lot of responsibility.”

Liverpool Will Not Play An Under-Strength Team In Europa League Knockout Stages

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has admitted he may have to end his policy of resting his most valuable assets during Europa League games when his side enters the knockout stages in February.

Liverpool will face Czech champions Sparta Prague in the last 32, before a potential meeting with either Portuguese side Braga — opponents of Arsenal in the Champions League — or Lech Poznan in the last 16.

Though Hodgson has thus far attempted to spare his most important players the strain of playing three games a week — Steven Gerrard featured for just 45 minutes of Liverpool’s six group stage fixtures, while Fernando Torres started just once — he suggested on Friday he would include them as he looks to win a trophy in his first season at the club.

“We are at the knockout stage now, and so I will not have that option because it will be important to put out our best team every time if we want to go further in the competition,” he said.

Liverpool 'Discuss Deal' For French Ace After Scouting Mission

Liverpool have reportedly held talks over the potential signing of Charles N'Zogbia.

According to the Daily Express, the Reds are ready to table an offer of around £7 million after scouts were dispatched to watch the Wigan winger at close quarters.

It's not the first time Liverpool representatives have been to watch the 24-year-old Frenchman, with three Anfield scouts - including chief talent-spotter Eduardo Macia - allegedly deployed to monitor N'Zogbia during Wigan's Carling Cup victory against Swansea in October.

And, according to Click Lancashire, Roy Hodgson was at the DW Stadium earlier this month and was wowed by N'Zogbia's man-of-the-match performance in the 2-2 draw with Stoke.

N'Zogbia is understood to have been identified as a high-priority target by Liverpool in their pursuit of attacking reinforcements when the transfer window opens next month.

The Liverpool boss is thought to be keeping his eye on a number of potentially potent signings after admitting his side are too dependant on the goalscoring abilities of Anfield ace Fernando Torres.

New Liverpool owners NESV are expected to back their manager in the transfer market with upwards of £25 million as he looks to bring more attack-minded players to Anfield in the New Year.

Aston Villa speedster Ashley Young and Spurs wide-man David Bentley have both been linked with moves to Anfield in January as Liverpool continue their pursuit of an added cutting-edge.