Reds target £5m Blues striker

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.

Sturridge is said to be 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 per cent of any potential future sale, which could come in to the equation here if Liverpool made a permanent move in June, July or August.

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