Liverpool Told They Can Land Anderlecht Ace For £8m

Liverpool target Lucas Biglia has been told he can leave Anderlecht if they offer £8.35m.

The Argentine midfielder has long been an Anfield target and was linked with Arsenal in the summer.

And Anderlecht have decided that the 26-year-old can leave, but only if they receive an offer of €10.25m.

"We have not formally received an offer for Lucas but we know that his agent is making moves in the transfer market," Anderlecht general manager Herman Van Holsbeeck told calciomercato.com.

"Biglia has two and a half years left on his contract and we would only consider letting him go if we receive an offer of €10.25m. He won't leave in January for a penny less."

AC Milan is also reported to be strongly interested in the former Independiente midfielder.

Liverpool Chase Valencia Winger Sofiane Feghouli

According to reports in Spain Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers wants Valencia winger Sofiane Feghouli to bolster his depleted squad.

SuperDeporte say Liverpool have made contact with the player's representatives - just at a time when Valencia were frantically trying to extend the winger's contract.

The Reds are currently trying to offload current failed wingers Joe Cole and Stewart Downing and see Feghouli as a cheaper and better option, it would also mean Rodgers would not have to sacrifice Jonjo Shelvey in a wide position as he was forced to do in Saturday's defeat to Aston Villa.

His current deal runs out in the summer of 2014, so a January transfer may be the best option for the Mestalla outfit if Feghouli decides to play hardball over an extension.

Despite an improvement in their financial position, Valencia are still mired in a debt crisis with work on their new stadium suspended and poor on-field performances meaning they are likely to miss out on Champions League football - and its important revenue streams - for next season.

Derby Slap £5 Million Price Tag On Arsenal & Liverpool Target

Derby County has put a £5 million price tag on their teenage sensation Will Hughes amid interest from Arsenal and Liverpool.

Ideally the Championship club would like to keep hold of the 17 year old until the end of the season but Goal.com believe that bids from Premier League duo Arsenal and Liverpool are likely to come in the January transfer window.

Liverpool and Arsenal are showing the strongest interest in making bids for the creative midfielder, while he is also being closely tracked by Manchester City, Tottenham and Fulham.

There is a growing possibility that Hughes, who has been compared to a young Liam Brady by his manager Nigel Clough, could be sold in January to raise much-needed funds for the second-tier outfit.

Liverpool and Arsenal would both be keen on recruiting Hughes in the forthcoming window to give him time to integrate into their set-ups in the second half of the season.

Speaking earlier this month, Clough said, “I think a few of the big boys are watching him, which is a great compliment to him and the academy lads, but if they are we will do everything we can to hang on to him.”

Tottenham & Liverpool Eyeing Real Madrid Forward

Tottenham and Liverpool are weighing up a summer move for Real Madrid forward Jose Callejon, according to reports in Italy.

The 25-year-old has failed to establish himself as a regular at the Bernabeu under Jose Mourinho and is reportedly ready to consider a move away from the club if the situation does not change before the end of the season.

And Italian newspaper Tuttosport claim that Tottenham, Liverpool and Udinese are leading the chase for the forward.

But they will have to pay £16.3m to meet Callejon's buy-out clause and prise him away from Real, who are said to still value him highly.

Comolli Urges Sterling To Sign New Liverpool Contract

Liverpool's former director of football, Damien Comolli, has urged Raheem Sterling to sign a new contract with the Anfield outfit.

As Goal.com exclusively revealed on Tuesday, the 18-year-old is set to confirm a five-year deal in the New Year, starting at a basic £30,000 per week.

"My advice would be sign the contract and stay at Liverpool unless there is something which makes him really uncomfortable," Comolli told TalkSPORT.

"We tried to look after Raheem as much as we could - he was really a long-term project - and I think he should commit.

"I really don't think money should be an issue. He is 18 and it is going to be one of many contracts he is going to sign and he is going to end up being a wealthy individual.

"The important contract, if you are money-orientated, is the one you sign when you are 31 not 18."

Enrique Defends Suso Over Twitter Banter

Jose Enrique has defended Liverpool team-mate Suso after he was fined £10,000 by the FA, dismissing the tweet which sparked the censure as "banter".

Winger Suso was disciplined by the governing body for teasing Enrique after the left-back posted a picture of himself getting his teeth whitened online.

Suso tweeted: "What f*** is he doing? This guy is gay... he does everything except play football." The tweet was deleted soon afterwards and an apology was issued by the 19-year-old, but that did not stop the FA acting by handing out the fine on Tuesday.

However, Enrique then took to Twitter himself to state that he thought the punishment on his team-mate was harsh.

He tweeted: "Is amazing how FA can fine my friend @suso30fernandez for a banter thing. Was just a joke!!!"

Suso, who has made 13 appearances for the Reds this season since making his first-team debut in September, insisted in his apology that he had not meant to cause any offence to anyone.

"I'm very sorry if anyone has been offended by my comments about the photo of my team-mate Jose Enrique," he wrote.

"It was only a joke between the two of us. I realize that my words were unfortunate and it was not my intention to offend anyone.

"I apologise again if anyone was offended."

Hillsborough Verdicts Quashed

The original Hillsborough inquest verdicts were quashed in the High Court on Wednesday, with a new investigation led by Jon Stoddart announced.

Following an application by the Attorney General Dominic Grieve, the Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge and two other judges ordered fresh inquests, quashing the original accidental death inquest verdicts after 96 Liverpool supporters died 23 years ago.

A new police inquiry, led by former Durham Chief Constable Stoddart, will focus specifically on the 96 deaths of the Liverpool fans in April 1989, working closely with the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) into police conduct in the aftermath of the disaster.

Grieve made his request to the High Court after a new report established 41 of those who died might have been saved, and new medical evidence has been used as a basis for the new inquests application.

The Home Secretary Theresa May announced the new investigation will finally earn justice for the fans who were crushed at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium during the FA Cup semi-final with Nottingham Forest on April 15, 1989.

May said: "I am determined to see a swift and thorough response to the findings of the Hillsborough Panel to deliver justice for the 96 football fans who died and the families who have fought so hard on their behalf."

Mr. Stoddart will be able to recruit investigators and staff to his team, but he will not be allowed to employ officers or former officers with any previous connection to the Hillsborough disaster, or from the West Midlands, South Yorkshire or Merseyside police forces.

He said: "I am aware of the great significance and personal responsibility which comes with leading this criminal investigation.

"My first priority is to meet with as many of the families as possible and to establish a working open relationship with them throughout the investigation.

"I have held a number of meetings already and have been struck by the families' humility and steadfast determination to see justice delivered for their loved ones.

"My role is to ensure that we determine exactly what happened in the lead-up to and on the day of the disaster and establish where any culpability lies."

The Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge said there were "good grounds" for the application made by Mr. Grieve and described what happened in 1989 as "catastrophic".

Referring to the families, he said there had been a "profound, almost palpable belief that justice has not been done and that it cannot be done without and until the full truth is revealed".

He said: "We must record our admiration and respect for their determined search for the truth about the circumstances of the disaster and why and how it had occurred, which - despite disappointments and setbacks - has continued for nearly quarter of a century."

After Lord Judge announced the decision of the court, families in the packed courtroom greeted it with a loud round of applause.

More than 40 families had made the journey to London for the hearing, while others watched by videolink from Liverpool.

When giving the ruling, Lord Judge expressed regret that the process the families had gone through over the years since the disaster had been "so unbearingly dispiriting and prolonged".

Responding to the decision to quash the original Hillsborough inquest verdicts and the announcement that a fresh police investigation is to be held into the disaster, Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: "This is a watershed moment on the road to justice for the families of the 96, and I share their overwhelming relief that, after 23 very painful years, the inquest verdicts have been quashed.

"It is the only right and proper decision that the High Court could make in the wake of the overwhelming and compelling evidence uncovered by the Hillsborough Independent Panel.

"We must all keep up the pressure that has driven the momentum over the last few months to make sure that the families get the justice they deserve.

"I also welcome the new police investigation, which we all hope will result in those that played a role in causing the disaster and the monumental cover-up are brought to account."

Brendan Rodgers Must Escape The Trap Of Anfield History

No matter how strong the temptation, never allow yourself to be infected by the chronic delusion that has plagued Anfield for too long. It is utterly debilitating.

Ahead of this sobering defeat by Aston Villa – a comprehensive and deserved 3-1 win for Paul Lambert’s side – there was a hint Rodgers was falling into a familiar trap of presuming too much, too soon, hastily talking about this club in terms of the Premier League top two places.

Liverpool history seduces, hypnotizes and imparts an unjustified sense of entitlement in those who should know better, even when contemporary reality has nothing in common with the past.

Rodgers sounds like a rational, shrewd young coach when he embraces the truth of Liverpool’s situation. A brief diversion to talk about the aim of bridging an 11-point gap to Manchester City – now 14 again – when the gulf is nearer several million miles, and pounds, is counter-productive.

It was as if, after an encouraging few weeks on Merseyside, the footballing gods empowered Aston Villa to issue a sobering reminder of how far this club still has to go.

Villa exposed the deficiencies with expert counter-attacking. Christian Benteke bullied and bewildered the Liverpool defence, scoring twice and creating the second goal for the equally impressive Andreas Weimann. The discussion about the out-of-favour Darren Bent, absent here through injury, should be over.

Lambert described Benteke as “brilliant”, adding: “He can be anything he wants. He might not hit his peak until he is about 28, you never know. But he has been incredible for us. Everyone loves playing alongside him. His goals were outstanding.”

There is a broader problem for Rodgers, which none of his publicised January transfer targets will resolve – as well as a new striker, he needs another central midfielder.

Not for the first time, there was a lack of intensity, malevolence, and downright aggression in the way Liverpool played in the centre of the park. The midfield was timid, wilting whenever belligerent qualities were demanded.

Slow and un-combative, the weakness was demonstrated most clearly when Benteke waltzed unchallenged from the middle of the Liverpool half into the penalty area to score Villa’s third after 50 minutes.

Lucas, only just back from injury, is a good player but he is absurdly overrated by some as much as he was unfairly underrated by others a few years ago, while Joe Allen has endured a recent dip. Even at their best, the balance has not been right as Steven Gerrard tries to find his best role in a new system.

Talk of Anfield traditions too often neglects the legacy of Tommy Smith, Jimmy Case and Graeme Souness. They need a spiteful piece of work (on the pitch) who will earn his side the right to play and make sure the opponent cannot. Liverpool’s cordial style sometimes gives the impression of docility. Great if you are far superior to the opponent, but not when they are capable of taking advantage of the time and space you offer them.

Villa could have scored more and most of Liverpool’s most encouraging moments were squandered before Brad Guzan had to make a save. In the final third, Liverpool’s passing lacks the precision that wins admirers in less dangerous areas.

Johnson Demands Response After Villa Defeat

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has called for his team mates to bounce back from their 3-1 defeat to at home to Aston Villa.

The Reds went into this fixture winning their previous three matches but were put to the sword by an inform Aston Villa side who are now unbeaten in five, but Johnson wants his side to focus on next weekend's clash with Fulham.

"Any game you lose is disappointing. I think we were lacking a bit of tempo. It was difficult and it was just one of those games," Johnson told the Liverpool Echo.

"It was a great opportunity to pick up three more points and we missed out. We have to put this behind us. It's gone now and there's nothing we can do about it.

"We have a lot of games coming up and we have to look to put things right next weekend."

Johnson was disappointed to taste defeat after making an impressive start to the game, "Early on we had so much of the ball and dominated the game. They went in front completely against the run of play.

"When we were 1-0 down, we still had a big chance as there was plenty of time left in the game. But the second goal before half-time left us with a lot to do.

"You can say we needed to pass the ball that bit quicker, but sometimes it's difficult to play too quick because you have so much room. When you're in loads of room then you are supposed to move into that space.

"When the opposition are so compact around the edge of the box then your little passes have to be perfect. When you have a day like we did when your passing isn't perfect, that makes it very difficult to break them down."

Liverpool Boss Plans To Rest Sterling & Allen

Brendan Rodgers plans to give young starlet Raheem Sterling and summer signing Joe Allen rests in the upcoming weeks, despite Liverpool’s hectic Christmas campaign.

18-year-old Sterling has already featured for Liverpool on 25 occasions this season throughout Liverpool’s campaign that began back on 2 August in the Europa League. The promising youngster has transformed into an integral part of Liverpool’s attacking component, progress that was also recognized at international level when he received his first England cap in November.

But the former Swansea City manager has revealed that he needs to rest Sterling, in a bid to keep him fresh for the entire season. "There is no doubt Raheem is one who does need that breather," Rodgers said, speaking to Liverpool’s official website.

"I've thought about it over the past couple of weeks. In order to do that you need to have that depth to take him out and put somebody else in.

"That's something I'm thinking about - who to put in. He's a naturally very, very fit boy but he needs that mental rest as well. That time will come and he will get the breather soon enough.”

Rodgers also identified the necessity to rest midfielder Joe Allen when the opportunity arises.

"There is no doubt after working with Joe and seeing him, he's another one. If we're honest, there are a few who could do with that breather, especially mentally,” Rodgers continued. It's something for sure I need to have a wee look at."

Reds Eye French Youngster

Liverpool is believed to be interested in signing Valenciennes centre-back Nicolas Isimat-Mirin in the January transfer window.

Reports in France say the 21-year-old's representatives have already held talks with Liverpool about a potential move in the new year, that could initially see him returning to the French club on loan before a possible permanent switch to Anfield in the summer.

Boss Brendan Rodgers and his scouts are on the lookout for exciting young talent in Europe and Isimat-Mirin has caught the eye with some solid displays in Ligue 1.

He first forced his way into the first-team reckoning at Valenciennes two years ago and has gone on to make 31 appearances for them, while Isimat-Mirin has also recently been called into the France Under-21 squad, winning three caps.

He is under contract in France until summer 2014 but, if Liverpool were to offer at least £1million for his services, a deal could reportedly be struck in the new year which would eventually see him make a permanent move over to England in the summer.

Liverpool & Spurs Face Competition For Sporting Lisbon Striker

Liverpool and Tottenham will have to move fast if they want to sign Dutch star Ricky van Wolfswinkel after Fiorentina emerged as the strong favourites to sign the Sporting Lisbon striker.

Van Wolfswinkel is rated one of the hottest strikers in Europe and has been earning rave reviews in the Portuguese League.

The 23-year-old forward has scored 34 goals in just 66 matches following his arrival from Utrecht back in 2011.

Both Brendan Rodgers and Andre Villas-Boas have been strongly linked with a move for the talented forward as they look to bring in another striker in the January transfer window.

But they face a major battle to clinch his signature as reports in Italy claim Fiorentina are preparing a £10m bid for Van Wolfswinkel and are hoping to open talks with the player when the window re-opens next month.

Chelsea & Liverpool Fight For French International Striker

Chelsea and Liverpool striker target Bafetimbi Gomis believes a firm decision on his future is just around the corner – with both clubs ready to fight for his signature.

The Lyon star has been linked with a move away from Ligue 1 in the January transfer window, and Canal Plus reports that the Blues and Reds both sent scouts to watch the talented 27-year-old in action against Paris Saint-Germain at the weekend.

And, whilst the 10-cap French international admits he could sign a new contract at the Stade de Gerland, he knows that a move would be on the cards if an offer isn’t forthcoming.

"I have heard it, the president said I will get transferred or will renew my contract before the end of the January transfer window," said Gomis, according to SkySports.

Chelsea is in the market for a striker, according to The Daily Mail, with Rafael Benitez looking to strengthen in the position in the New Year.

The goalscoring burden currently falls on Fernando Torres at Stamford Bridge, with a lack of options increasing the pressure on the Spaniard in west London.

Gomis, who has scored 10 goals in 17 games this season, would certainly add an extra dimension to the Chelsea attack, and push Daniel Sturridge further down the pecking order.

Liverpool also lack options in attack, with Luis Suarez the only senior striker currently available to manager Brendan Rodgers.

Ironically, the Reds have been linked with a move for Sturridge in recent weeks, but if they fail to land the England striker, then Gomis is another name on the radar, according to The Daily Mail.

Were he to move to Anfield, Gomis would be the only Frenchman in the current Liverpool squad.

Liverpool Told To Pay £6m For England Goalkeeper

Liverpool have been warned that they will have to make an offer of more than £6million if they are to sign Birmingham City goalkeeper Jack Butland in the January transfer window.

The England international has repeatedly been linked with a move to Merseyside in recent months, with the Mirror suggesting that both Liverpool and Everton are keen to sign the goalkeeper in the New Year.

Butland has only become first choice at Birmingham this season after earning plenty of plaudits for his performances for Team GB in the summer, which also helped earn him a call-up to the England squad under Roy Hodgson.

The 19-year-old was the subject of a £6million bid from Southampton in the summer, but Birmingham manager Lee Clark has made it clear that his value has increased after his excellent performances.

"By the time the window opens he'll have played 25 or so ­Championship games," said Clark, as quoted in the Mirror.

"We would be looking for an even more substantial figure than we were offered in the summer - even though I certainly don't want it to come to that."

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has handed reserve goalkeeper Brad Jones a new contract, but it does seem as though he is keen to add a younger stopper to his ranks. It is also believed that he is unconvinced about Pepe Reina and may be looking to find someone suitable to challenge the Spaniard for the number one jersey.

Liverpool's Merseyside rivals Everton are also believed to be interested in Butland as their number two, Jan Mucha, is out of contract in the summer and could decide to leave on a free transfer.

With some serious interest from Premier League clubs, Clark has admitted that Birmingham may be forced to sell if an offer is simply too good to refuse.

"Ultimately, it's down to the board," Clark added. "He's the future and the type of player I'd rather build my team around."

Liverpool Target Says He Wants To Quit Madrid

Liverpool target Arda Turan looks set to leave Atletico Madrid - but Brendan Rodgers may have to wait until the summer to land him.

The Reds have tracked Turan in the past and the Turkish star has previously claimed he would be open to a switch to Anfield.

And now Rodgers has been boosted by news that the 25-year-old is considering leaving Spain at the end of the season.

Turan, who joined Madrid from Galatasaray in 2011, has netted four goals in 15 league appearances to propel Diego Simeone's side to second in the table but it looks as though may well be off in the summer.

"I have wanted to see [Arda] play for another team in another league and Arda also wants to play for another club," his agent Ahmet Bulut told Turkish television channel TRT.

"He wants a different experience. We are working now to try and do exactly that.

"Atlético know of our intentions. If successful, Arda will leave Atleti at the end of the season."

Liverpool Excited By Future Asian Prospects

Frank McParland thinks it will be very soon that an Asian star becomes one of the key players at Liverpool.

The Academy Director saw Liverpool’s U18 side take part in the NextLions Cup in Singapore and witnessed how Asian football is ever-improving.

“I was impressed by both the skill and the physical presence of the Singapore team,” McParland told Liverpool’s official club website.

“Every time I come to Asia, I’m more and more impressed with the standard of football I see – particularly from the younger age groups.

“We’re always looking at players when we play. We always look at the opposition and if someone does really well, you can be sure they’ll be scouted properly.

“I’m sure it won’t be long before we have an Asian star at Liverpool.

“It’s just great to have top players from anywhere in the world, whether it’s Australia, Asia, America or Allerton. We just want the very best players for Liverpool Football Club, so it’s important that we don’t just look in Allerton, we look in places like Asia as well.”

Liverpool’s new reserve team manager Alex Inglethorpe echoed McParland’s thoughts as he took a one-hour training session for the Singapore national academy and admired the talent on show first-hand.

“They played with such natural ability, it was very impressive,” he said. “They had a freedom to how they played and that probably comes from the fact that they are street footballers. They haven’t had that natural flair coached out of them.

“Some of the things they were trying were outrageous but they had the courage to try those things and sometimes they came off. It was a real joy to spend an hour with them and they were incredibly hungry to try the drills and tasks I was putting to them. I hope they got something out of the session because I know I did.”

Match Report: Liverpool 1 - 3 Aston Villa

Aston Villa exposed Liverpool's flaws and the flakiness of their challenge for a top-four place by inflicting the Reds' worst home defeat for more than three years.

Christian Benteke scored twice, either side of Andreas Weimann's well-worked goal, before Steven Gerrard's late consolation as the hosts' three-match winning run was ended in surprising fashion.

It was the first time Villa had scored more than once in any half of league football this season and extended their own unbeaten run to five matches, with only a second away win in 17 away league games.

Villa inflicted the same scoreline in August 2009, and although both sides are at a lower level now, this was a result no-one would have predicted.

The visitors almost doubled their league away goals tally for the campaign, which now stands at seven, in recording only their fifth Anfield victory in 34 visits.

Yet barely 24 hours earlier Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers had been talking about targeting second-placed Manchester City so high was the confidence in his squad.

City are now 14 points ahead and, worse still, Liverpool failed to take advantage of Everton's draw at Stoke to close the gap on fourth place with many of their rivals playing on Sunday.

For their part Villa moved three points clear of the relegation zone.

The opening half-hour was virtually one-way traffic as the home side set off at pace in search of a third successive Barclays Premier League victory for the first time since May 2011.

But their eagerness seemed to get the better of them as there was an air of over-complication and lack of finesse about their play in the final third.

Stewart Downing, who in the matchday program revealed Rodgers had told him he could leave and he would assess his options in January, started left-back for the injured Jose Enrique but enjoyed plenty of space down the flank.

Gerrard bundled a shot at goalkeeper Brad Guzan after a poor pass behind him from Luis Suarez, returning after suspension, rebounded back off Raheem Sterling before Downing shot wide after cutting in on his right foot.

It continued with Joe Allen driving wide, Gerrard's feet getting in a tangle after being picked out by Suarez's inch-perfect cross-field ball, and Shelvey delaying his shot long enough got Nathan Baker to block after Suarez capitalized on Chris Herd's mistake.

Liverpool's inability to take their chances has hurt them in the past and it proved to be the case again in the 29th minute.

Brett Holman passed inside to Benteke, who took a touch and - with no-one closing him down - unleashed a low shot which beat Reina off the inside of his right-hand post.

What a difference the goal made as Villa suddenly started playing 30 yards further up the field.

It almost paid off when Weimann seized on Glen Johnson's weak header to lob Reina, only for the ball to drop on to the roof of the net.

The Austrian did not make the same mistake just before half-time with a brilliantly-worked goal.

Weimann released Benteke in the inside-right channel and raced into a gaping hole in the Liverpool defence to turn the striker's clever backheel under Reina.

Joe Cole's emergence for the second half at the expense of Shelvey highlighted the lack of genuine match-winners outside of Rodgers' first XI.

They should, however, have got back into the game early in the second half when Ciaran Clark clearly pulled Daniel Agger's shirt in the penalty area, but referee Neil Swarbrick maintained Liverpool's record of not winning a penalty this season by ignoring the appeals.

It proved costly as when Cole was robbed by Holman on the halfway line, Benteke was sensibly quickly given possession and he danced through the Reds backline to chip a shot past Reina.

Liverpool laid siege to Guzman's goal in the final half-hour, with further claims for a penalty when Johnson's header hit Baker's arm also going unanswered.

When they finally made a breakthrough it came too late with Gerrard heading in Johnson's cross-shot three minutes from the end.

There was just enough time left for Benteke to escape with a yellow card for pushing Johnson in the face in front of a rapidly-emptying Anfield.

Rodgers Hopes For Reinforcements In January

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admits his squad have some way to go to be a genuine top-four side and hopes the forthcoming transfer window can assist the process.

Christian Benteke’s double and an Andreas Weimann goal highlighted the Reds’ deficiencies as they were sunk 3-1 by Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday.

And Rodgers said: ‘That was probably as disappointing as we’ve been here but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

‘It is a strange thing football. We were talked up all week about us being top-four material but we know within the group we still have a long way to go.

‘There is going to be steady progress and there are going to be steps forward, like in the last few weeks, and a step backward like yesterday.

‘We looked at the first six months to assess: we know we need some support and hopefully we can get that in. We understand the process as well but the most important thing is to learn from it (the defeat).

‘The thing we’ve learned from Saturday is that you can’t ever be complacent. You have to be at full tilt every week. If we do that we have a great chance of getting the points but if we don’t you can get punished.

‘The challenge for us now is to have a good week’s training and come back next Saturday and hopefully get three points and get on the upward curve again.’

David Villa Primed For Barcelona Exit With Liverpool Waiting

David Villa could be available at the end of the season for a knockdown price of £10million, with Liverpool reported to be finally ready to bring him to England.

The striker has fallen down the pecking order of Tito Vilanova’s Barcelona, and Spanish paper AS claim the Reds could launch a bid for the 31-year-old in the summer.

Barca have ruled out selling Villa in the January transfer window, and Liverpool are unlikely to be able to splash that kind of cash in the new year, but if the Spanish giants complete the signing of Neymar at the end of the season, that would appear to leave little room for the former Valencia man at the Nou Camp.

Villa is already being overlooked for big games, and it’s understood he has become despondent with his place in the team, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Pedro, Alexis Sanchez and Crisitan Tello all ahead of him in Vilanova’s thoughts.

The Spain international’s contract expires in 2014, and a cut-price deal could appeal to both Liverpool and the player, who has always been strongly linked to the Anfield club.

Sweden & Genoa Defender Interested In Liverpool Move

Genoa defender Andreas Granqvist would consider a move to Liverpool after he admitted he was flattered by media reports linking him with the Premier League side.

Reports have claimed that Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has deployed scouts to Italy on a number of occasions this season to watch Sweden international Granqvist in action, and following glowing recommendations, is considering a January bid.

And after he was informed of Liverpool’s reported interest, Granqvist responded that he would be interested in a switch to the Anfield club.

“Honestly, I don't know much about this interest. I am focused on Sweden's World Cup qualifiers and then we'll see what happens,” Granqvist told Sportbladet.

“I am happy in Genoa, but obviously I am flattered by the interest from the Reds. They are an historic and successful club.”

Granqvist may appear familiar to some Premier League fans, particularly those of the Wigan persuasion, as the 27-year-old spent 18 months at the DW Stadium from 2007.

He made 14 appearances in his first year in English football, but fell out of favour and left the club for Swedish side Gronigen in 2008.

However, a move to Genoa has reinvigorated his career, and Granqvist is now considered one of the stand-out defenders in Italian football. His performances in Serie A have also seen him nail down a starting place for his national team.

Liverpool Facing Competition For Tom Ince

Liverpool face stiff competition in their bid to resign England Under-21 international Tom Ince with Blackpool boss Michael Appleton confirming there are interests in the winger from a "couple of clubs".

Ince, 20, is wanted by Reds boss Brendan Rodgers as he looks to bolster his attacking line-up in the new year with reports claiming a £6million deal was in the offing.

Ince left Anfield just 18 months ago in a £250,000 deal, but is now being lined up for a return after dazzling for Blackpool this season with 13 goals in the Championship.

His pace and ability to play across the forward line has caught the eye of Rodgers who admitted recently he is aiming to bring two attacking players to Liverpool in January.

Manchester United have also been credited with an interest in Ince in recent weeks and are known to have dispatched scouts to watch him in action for England Under-21s in their recent win over their Northern Irish counterparts.

Ex-United midfielder Appleton has done little to quell the speculation that Liverpool or his former club are in the running for Ince's signature by confirming Blackpool have opened dialogue with two clubs over the sale of Ince.

"There have been no bids as far as I'm aware," said Appleton. "I think there have been conversations with a couple of clubs and the chairman, but nothing concrete. No-one has come in yet and set the marker in terms of a price."

Ince, the son of former United and Liverpool Paul, was the subject of a failed bid by Swansea and recently said he was in no rush to leave Bloomfield Road having established himself as a key player for the club.

Appleton admits if the youngster is tempted away it will be a huge blow to the club, who currently lie 11th in the Championship table, four points outside the play-off spots.

He said: "If the worst did happen in January, and we did lose Tom, then we have to make sure we have replacements ready. They will have to fill some very big shoes."

United And Arsenal Prepare To Bid For Sterling

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has admitted that talks have stalled over Raheem Sterling’s contract with the club, paving the way for interest from Manchester United and Arsenal.

Sterling, who is valued at £15million, made his England debut against Sweden this year and if he were to move to United he would be the first player to move from Liverpool for nearly 50 years.

Former United winger Willie Morgan advised Sir Alex Ferguson to sign Sterling earlier this week and reports suggest that United, Arsenal and Manchester City are interested in the 18-year-old. He told the Manchester Evening News:

‘I think United should attempt to buy Liverpool’s left winger Raheem Sterling.

‘Sterling is the first winger I have seen in a long time who looks like a proper winger. He looks very good already and I think he is going to be great.

‘If you just let him go wide on the outside of the full-backs all the time I think he will be a great player. He’ll frighten people to death, so long as nobody coaches it out of him. He’s the brightest prospect out there and would suit United.’

Raheem Sterling Happy To Stay At Anfield

Raheem Sterling is currently happy at Liverpool and unlikely to move away from the club in the near future, talkSPORT understands.

With murmurings of a contract dispute and interest from Arsenal and Manchester United reportedly heightening, it had seemed the youngster could be set for the Anfield exit door.

But, it appears, this is far from the truth with the flying winger loving life on Merseyside.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has given the starlet, 17, a run in the first team this season for Liverpool and he has repaid his manager’s faith by putting in some sparkling performances on the flanks, earning himself an England call-up as well.

Sterling has made 14 appearances in the Premier League and scoring one goal, the winner against Reading in October, but he is still yet to receive a contract offer from the club with 18 months left on his current deal.

Downing Told He Can Leave Liverpool

Liverpool winger Stewart Downing has been told he can find a new club in order to get regular game time after failing to cement a starting place under new manager Brendan Rodgers.

The 28-year-old winger has frustrated Anfield fans in his 18-month spell at the club, and after being played up and down the left side this season, the manager's patience with Downing appears to have run out.

And with the blessing of Rodgers, the former Aston Villa man will start looking at alternative options in January - but may have to wait until the summer for a more permanent move.

"The manager has said I can leave if I want to. I think it's just the nature of football, the old cliche about it being a funny old game is true," he told reporters.

"I've played for a long time and there are spells when you can be in and out of any side. At the minute I'm trying to play as much as possible.

"If that doesn't happen I am at an age where I cannot be sat around. I need to play and the manager understands that."

The winger played 36 Premier League games for the Reds last season but failed to score a single league goal, and has not scored in six league appearances this term. He has, however, found the net three times in the Europa League.

And with Rodgers seemingly preferring Jose Enrique in a more advanced position on the left, Downing is looking at the upcoming transfer window and the summer for a potential move away from Anfield: "That's how the situation is and we will have to see what happens in January or in the summer."

Young Wing-Back Turns Down New Liverpool Contract

Liverpool wing-back Martin Kelly has reportedly rejected a contract extension with the Reds, according to the Daily Mirror.

The 22-year-old, who made his England debut earlier this year, has 18 months left on his present deal at Anfield and the club offered the youngster £35,000 per week to re-sign.

Kelly, who is out of action with a knee ligament injury, now joins fellow Liverpool academy graduate Raheem Sterling in rejecting new deals with the Merseyside club.

The report also claims that the Merseyside outfit finds the high salaries being paid to big-money signings such as Stewart Downing are causing problems in dealings with other players.

Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers has stated he is confident Sterling will sign a new contract with the Reds soon.

"No, [I'm] not at all [concerned. That will be resolved I'm sure, fairly soon. He's a kid who has got this special ability so that no matter what is going on, he doesn't get too involved with it. He focuses on his football. Hopefully, it stays that way," Goal.com quoted the Northern Irishman as saying.

Young Reds Beaten In NexLions Final

Liverpool U18s had to settle for the runners-up place in the inaugural NexLions tournament after losing 2-0 to Sporting Lisbon in Singapore on Sunday.

Having beaten Singapore 1-0 in their opening match on Friday, the Liverpool team, featuring three 16-year-olds, was hoping to exact revenge on the highly rated Portuguese outfit after suffering two consecutive defeats against them in the European NexGen series.

Two second-half goals - the first scored within a minute of the restart by Luka Stojanovic and a second from substitute Luis Cortez on the 90th minute - put paid to that plan but the youngsters, without the injured Jerome Sinclair and Samed Yesil, didn't give up the game without a fight.

A long-range free-kick from Jack Dunn, deflected wide by a Sporting defender, was Liverpool's best chance from the opening half but after conceding the goal, Alex Inglethorpe's team seemed to step up a gear.

A goal-bound shot from Marc Pelosi, cleared by the last defender with the goalkeeper beaten, was the closest they came to an equalizer as they chased the game with the score still 1-0 but the 90th-minute strike from Cortez killed off any chance of a comeback and made sure Sporting Lisbon were crowned the first ever winners of the NexLions Cup.

Manchester United, having been beaten 4-1 by Sporting on Friday, defeated Singapore 2-1 earlier in the evening to claim 3rd place in the tournament.

Match Preview: Liverpool vs Aston Villa

Brendan Rodgers feels that his Liverpool side have recovered well from what he calls a 'disastrous' start to the season as they prepare to host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday.

Liverpool sit in 10th place, but Reds fans will be looking for their team to build upon solid recent form and make strides up the table.

Last Sunday's turnaround against West Ham, without suspended top scorer Luis Suarez, will have boosted morale and the controversial Uruguayan is available for selection once again.

Joe Cole stepped up to the plate to notch his first Premier League goal since April 2011 last weekend, but he has yet to start a league fixture so far this season. Despite his impressive contribution at Upton Park, Cole's future at Anfield is still uncertain, and it would be a surprise if he started against Villa.

Only goal difference keeps Paul Lambert's side out of the drop zone, but Wednesday night's Capital One Cup win at Norwich should have lifted spirits at Villa Park.

Goals have been hard to come by this season in the league, with just 12 in 16 games, and Darren Bent will not be adding to that total in the near future.

A thigh injury sustained at Carrow Road has sidelined the striker, but given his manager's reluctance to pick him of late, it is questionable whether he would have featured at Anfield.

Villa has a poor record at Anfield, with their victory on Merseyside in 2009 the only one in their last 16 visits.

Luis Suarez will return after serving a one-match suspension for reaching five yellow cards.

The Uruguay international has not been on the score-sheet in five appearances since netting twice against Wigan in mid-November.

Jose Enrique is a doubt after limping out of the win over West Ham with a hamstring strain.

Darren Bent's hamstring injury rules him out of contention until the new year.

The striker withdrew after 35 minutes of the Capital One Cup tie at Norwich on Tuesday, his first start since the Fulham game on 20 October.

Ron Vlaar is still out with a calf strain but Joe Bennett and Enda Stevens are available after recovering from their knee and ankle problems respectively.

Rodgers Sets Sights On Second

Brendan Rodgers believes his Liverpool side can confound their critics by not only chasing down fourth-placed Everton but also catching Manchester City in second.

Rodgers argues that his players have been "hammered" unfairly by pundits this season, and insists that his side's performances have been better than results suggest.

Liverpool have spent virtually the entire campaign in the bottom half of the Premier League table, but climbed to their season's high of tenth place by winning 3-2 at West Ham last Sunday.

That result came after a 1-0 home victory over Southampton the previous weekend, and marked the first time Liverpool had recorded back-to-back league victories since Rodgers took over in June.

Liverpool hosts Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday before Fulham visit Anfield the following weekend.

With trips to Stoke and QPR over Christmas followed by a New Year home clash with Sunderland, many Liverpool fans believe the club have a great chance to close the four-point gap between themselves and neighbours Everton, who occupy the fourth and final Champions League qualification place.

But Rodgers believes his side can, over the remainder of the season, also cut the 11-point gap between his side and Manchester City in second.

He said: "I've heard lots of people talk about Liverpool. Everyone's got their opinion, and I understand that because of the standards the club set in the 1970s and 80s. I'm well in tune with that but, for a club that's supposedly been very poor, we only lie four points off that top four position. And for me, the ambition is to grow higher.

"We're 11 points off second and that can all turn round very quickly. We need to get consistency. That's what we've got at the moment.

"If we can keep showing the motivation and commitment, then this sequence of games are opportunities, but it's no good looking at Fulham next week just yet. We've got to take care of Aston Villa this week."

Rodgers, who welcomes back top scorer Luis Suarez from a one-match ban for the Villa game, is adamant that an upturn in results has been coming for some time.

Having made their worst start to a season in 100 years by collecting two points from their opening five games, Liverpool have lost just one of 11 league matches since.

Rodgers added: "I've never had any complaint with the players. They've been brilliant since the first day I walked in here. They've been hammered throughout the season, left, right and centre, by a number of people, but I was quite calm because I see them every day, and their focus and concentration has been first class.

"I'm just happy for them that they're getting the rewards for their hard work. It's just steady progress that we're making. We're not enough halfway through the league season. But for us, our focus is on the next game."