Liverpool shock link to out-of-form Premier League midfielder

Liverpool are once again being linked with a move for Irish midfielder Stephen Ireland.

The Aston Villa midfielder has struggled to find his feet at Villa Park under Gerard Houllier, and Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson could end the players Midlands troubles with an Anfield switch.

A long-time admirer of the player, Hodgson is thought to be considering an £8 million move for the player as he looks to bolster the Liverpool squad at the first opportunity.

'Five or six' players are thought to have been shortlisted by the former Fulham boss, with midfield an area highlighted as a potential place to stengthen. The Liverpool boss is thought to have strikers as a priority though, with the Reds linked to a string of world-class forwards.

Villa signed Ireland from Manchester City this summer as part of the deal that saw James Milner move to Eastlands, but the 24-year-old has been unable to hold-down a first team place at Villa Park and is struggling to adapt under the French boss.

Liverpool could be the ideal solution for both player and club, with Villa thought to be willing to cash-in on the player after Houllier questioned the player's efforts after a game this season.