Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is reported to have identified Aston Villa duo Ashley Young and Stewart Downing as potential transfer targets for this month - with the Reds rumoured to have made a double approach in the wake of Darren Bent's proposed switch from Sunderland.
Bent is said to be in Birmingham to discuss contract terms with Villa after handing in a written transfer request following Sunday's Wear-Tyne derby draw with Newcastle.
Liverpool had an approach for the two highly-rated England internationals turned down last summer, when Roy Hodgson was Reds boss and Martin O'Neill was in charge at Villa Park.
However, both managerial positions have now changed hands, with Dalglish in temporary charge at Anfield and Gerard Houllier looking to make changes after succeeding O'Neill.
The Frenchman still has several connections in the backroom staff on Merseyside following his six-year spell there between 1998 and 2004.
And although Houllier is not keen to sell Young, he believes refreshing the squad could be his only option to turn around the club's ailing form this season - and he believes he can get a good price from the Reds' new board.
Dalglish is desperate to add some spark to his midfield and is keen to deploy Joe Cole in the centre of midfield rather than using him as a left-winger.
And the Scot believes adding the dual attacking threat of the Villa starlets, 25 and 26 respectively, will improve the service from the flanks to striker Fernando Torres.
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