http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/12/20/roy-hodgson-s-potential-transfer-targets-for-liverpool-fc-100252-27853710/#ixzz18e7jYtWxROY HODGSON will have to wait until the January sales to get what he really wants this Christmas.
The Liverpool boss has made no secret of his desire to strengthen his squad when the transfer window opens in 11 days time.
Hodgson held talks with principal owner John W. Henry and chairman Tom Werner when they were in the city last week and director of football strategy Damien Comolli has been busy compiling a list of potential targets.
“There are certain areas where we are a bit light,” Hodgson said.
“The owners know there is work to do in terms of recruitment and it will interesting to see how quickly we push that on.”
There have been no bold promises from the Americans but there's no doubt the Reds are in desperate need of reinforcements to kick-start a flagging campaign.
Dogged by inconsistency, they go into the festive period in ninth place – nine points adrift of the coveted top four and only six above the drop zone.
A couple of new recruits could provide the injection of quality needed to mount a sustained push towards the European places.
Top of Hodgson's wish-list will be a striker to ease the burden on Fernando Torres and boost the Reds' firepower.
It's been a long-standing problem. Robbie Keane was never replaced after being sold back to Spurs in January 2009 with former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett refusing to stump up the cash to allow Rafa Benitez to buy Fiorentina's talented frontman Stevan Jovetic.
Since then Liverpool have been under-staffed in that department. Hodgson tried to find a solution back in the summer but the Reds failed in their attempts to sign Bayern Munich's Mario Gomez and West Ham's Carlton Cole.
With Liverpool having found the net just 21 times in 17 Premier League games, including just six in nine away trips, and with Torres struggling for form, the need for another striker is greater than ever. Former Reds winger Steve McManaman admitted: “Like every Liverpool fan I'd love a top centre forward to come in during January.
“It would be great to see another ruthless striker up there alongside Fernando Torres. That would be frightening. You would then have David Ngog playing back-up to them and continuing his development.
“In an ideal world I'd like to see Steven (Gerrard) playing just off them with a sitting central midfielder. That would add something to Liverpool's attack and give the manager more options.”
Hodgson could resurrect his interest in Gomez or Cole.
However, Gomez has belatedly established himself at Bayern Munich under Louis van Gaal in recent months and the 25-year-old German international, who came close to joining Liverpool on a season-long loan in the summer, is being tracked by a number of top clubs across Europe.
As for Cole, he has failed to shine for West Ham so far this season and boasts just one Premier League goal.
PSV Eindhoven's Sweden international Ola Toivonen and Ajax's Uruguay international Luis Suarez are among a long list of strikers also linked with a move to Anfield.
Hodgson recently distanced himself from speculation that Suarez is one of his targets. The prolific frontman, who scored 35 goals last season, would undoubtedly fit the bill but with Manchester City also in the hunt for his services the price tag could become an issue.
Less costly would be Ipswich's highly-rated teenager Connor Wickham but he's only 17 and would be one for the future when Hodgson needs an instant return.
Ex-Reds striker and ECHO columnist John Aldridge is hoping Hodgson will be able to remedy another problem area next month.
There's no question Liverpool lack pace in midfield. The boss has admitted he's a big admirer of Ashley Young and Aldridge would love to see the Aston Villa winger at Anfield.
“Young would be ideal for us,” Aldridge said.
“He's quick and would give us a great balance to the side.”
Young only has 18 months left on his contract and at 25 would satisfy the owners' desire to only pay big prices for young players who would have a reasonable potential re-sale value.
However, with Manchester United also keen on Young the fee could be upwards of £15million and Gerard Houllier has vowed to fight to hang on to his prized asset.
A cheaper option would be Charles N'Zogbia with the 24-year-old France international having already indicated his desire to move on from Wigan.
Liverpool scouts have also been to run the rule over Lille's Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard. The 19-year-old playmaker is an exciting prospect and has been recommended to Real Madrid by Zinedine Zidane.
Hodgson himself has been to watch Lille in action this season with the manager also keeping tabs on Hazard's team-mate Adil Rami.
With Jamie Carragher sidelined until at least February and Daniel Agger yet to prove his fitness after three months out with a calf injury, defensive cover is also likely to be sought.
France centre-back Rami, 24, has impressed so far this season, while the Reds have kept an eye on Bolton Wanderers defender Gary Cahill.
Hodgson has rubbished reports that he will need a right-back because Glen Johnson will leave next month.
The England international has been linked with a move abroad and speculation was fuelled by the Reds' interest in Rennes right-back Rod Fanni, who has since joined Marseille.
Liverpool officials insist a bid was never submitted for Fanni but Johnson has yet to silence the rumours and publicly confirm his intention to stay.
It promises to be an intriguing month.
“You don't turn things around overnight,” Hodgson said.
“The owners are focused on what's needed and I’m convinced they will help me get it done. The quick fix might not be the right approach.”
Maybe not, but time isn't on Hodgson's side and he needs fresh blood to breath new life into the Reds’ season.
