Darren Bent is reportedly closing in on a January loan to Liverpool after being axed by Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert for the home draw with Arsenal.
The striker, 28, was available after missing three games with an ankle problem but Lambert instead preferred rookie Jordan Bowery as his back-up forward for Saturday’s 0-0 stalemate with the Gunners.
Now Liverpool, who are in desperate need of extra firepower, are believed to already be in negotiations with Villa over taking Bent on loan until the end of the season with a view to making the move permanent in the summer.
A temporary signing would be the ideal solution to Liverpool’s striker problems, as Brendan Rodgers admitted after his side’s 0-0 draw with Swansea that funds may not be available to bring in a permanent recruit.
‘If we can get in the quality in the final third we need to support what we have, then there will be enough to keep the team moving forward,’ said Rodgers.
‘But I am not so sure that will happen in January. This year the club wanted to balance the books and see where we are at.
‘There has been big investment in the club and lots of players went out and a few came in during the summer, so we will look to do some business.’
Whether Villa would settle on a loan deal for a player who cost them £22million just two seasons ago remains to be seen, and boss Lambert insists there’s no rift with the England striker.
'Darren is fine. There's nothing at all. The most important thing is Aston Villa Football Club,' said the Scot.
The striker, 28, was available after missing three games with an ankle problem but Lambert instead preferred rookie Jordan Bowery as his back-up forward for Saturday’s 0-0 stalemate with the Gunners.
Now Liverpool, who are in desperate need of extra firepower, are believed to already be in negotiations with Villa over taking Bent on loan until the end of the season with a view to making the move permanent in the summer.
A temporary signing would be the ideal solution to Liverpool’s striker problems, as Brendan Rodgers admitted after his side’s 0-0 draw with Swansea that funds may not be available to bring in a permanent recruit.
‘If we can get in the quality in the final third we need to support what we have, then there will be enough to keep the team moving forward,’ said Rodgers.
‘But I am not so sure that will happen in January. This year the club wanted to balance the books and see where we are at.
‘There has been big investment in the club and lots of players went out and a few came in during the summer, so we will look to do some business.’
Whether Villa would settle on a loan deal for a player who cost them £22million just two seasons ago remains to be seen, and boss Lambert insists there’s no rift with the England striker.
'Darren is fine. There's nothing at all. The most important thing is Aston Villa Football Club,' said the Scot.
