Hazard a possible target for Hodgson

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson watched Eden Hazard fire Lille to the top of the French League on Sunday night, just weeks after Kenny Dalglish checked out the same player.

And Hodgson's latest spying mission with the Reds' French scout, Laurent Viaud, has fuelled speculation that Liverpool could be planning a January swoop for the highly rated 19-year-old.

The Belgian international has attracted interest from Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United, and could cost as much as £18 million.

However, Liverpool believe they can tempt the midfielder with the lure of regular first team football.

Kenny Dalglish watched Hazard when Lille played Levski Sofia in the Europa League recently - after the youngster first impressed Anfield coaches when the two sides met in last season's Europa League.

Liverpool's new owners have expressed reservations about the value of signings made in the mid-season transfer window.

But only last month boss Hodgson said: "We are going to be very interested in trying to improve our squad in January. There is no question about that. I am sure we will sign players."

And Hazard's age fits into the Americans' transfer strategy of buying bright up and coming youngsters.

"We have to be more efficient," said JW Henry. "When we spend a dollar it has to be wisely. We cannot afford player contracts that do not make long-term sense."

Also in action at the Stade Lille-Metropole on Sunday night was Ivory Coast international Gervinho, who has made an impressive start to the season.

When Hodgson was asked after the match if he was following Gervinho, he replied that the Ivorian was not the only good player on the field.

Hazard became the youngest goalscorer in Lille's history in 2008 and went on to make 36 appearances and score six goals, becoming the first foreign player to win the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year Award.

Spanish youngster Suso, meanwhile, has signed his first professional contract at Anfield keeping him at the club until 2013.

The 17-year-old can play up front or in midfield and featured in the pre-season friendly against Borussia Moenchangladbach.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.