Reds eye Villa midfielder

Roy Hodgson could be set to end Stephen Ireland’s Aston Villa misery, by bringing him to Anfield this January.

The midfielder has struggled to hold down a first-team place at Villa Park, after being brought to the club from Manchester City last summer.

New Villa boss Gerard Houllier does not apppear to be a big fan of the schemer, regularly selecting players such as Nigel Reo-Coker ahead of him.

Ireland showed during his time at Manchester City, that he is a top-class Barclays Premier League player, and Liverpool would be the perfect club for him to get back on track. Hodgson is a long-time admirer of the dynamic midfielder, and would jump at the chance of signing him for the reported figure of around £8million.

The Liverpool boss will be given significant funds to strengthen his squad this January, and Ireland looks set to be his first major signing.

Another top priority will be a striker, with names such as Mario Gomez, and Fernando Llorente recently linked with a move to Anfield.

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