City forward on loan?

Despite the poor results for Liverpool this season Roy Hodgson does not fear for his job. He belives NESV will back him as he tries to turnaround the club's recent decline.

- Because basically speaking unless there is a major inflow of cash into the club and the team is going to be changed from one moment to the next then whoever takes my place will be doing a similar job with similar players, Hodgson said, The Birmingham Mail reports.

So any other manager would do exactly the same job as Hodgson, giving the same results? Would not change anything, would he? I'm just asking...

One report today implies that Liverpool has had a plan to tak Manchester City's Emmanuel Adebayor on loan in January.

This has however come unstuck now that Carlos Tevez has handed in a transfer request, Sportingo reports.

The Argentine's insurrection has caused uproar in Manchester though it provides a lifeline for Adebayor after his career at Eastlands appeared to be over. With only Mario Balotelli and forgotten men Roque Santa Cruz and Jo remaining as front line strikers, Adebayor will now get another chance to shine for Roberton Mancini.

The development will disappoint Roy Hodgson who was planning on making a loan enquiry for the Togolese hitman as he searches for another forward with Liverpool owners NESV having previously said that no significant funds will be available for player acquisitions in January.

Hodgson had earmarked Adebayor as the man to partner Torres, in the short term at least, as they bid for a top four finish and the lack of a transfer fee had made him a far more attractice option than either Carlton Cole or Darren Bent.

Elsewhere Liverpool apparently are keeping a close eye on Sochaux midfielder Ryad Boudebouz, according to Goal.com.

The 20-year-old has seen his stock rise dramatically in recent months; playing in the World Cup for Algeria and, in turn, attracting the interest of a number of Europe's top clubs.

Liverpool director of football strategy, Damien Comolli, will travel to France before the New Year with a view to bringing Boudebouz to Anfield when the transfer window opens next month.

- Liverpool have shown serious interest in him and Damien Comolli will come to watch him at a game in the next two or three weeks, an insider told Goal.com.

- It is looking very possible that he will sign for Liverpool - he is an exciting young player who needs developing but is capable of special things.

Boudebouz is an attack-minded midfielder with an eye for goal who would certainly fit with the ethos of Liverpool owners NESV in their quest to bring top young talent to Anfield.

Another name that re-appears today is Borussia Dortmund striker Lucas Barrios.

Liverpool are according to GiveMeFootball fighting Real Madrid in the race to sign the 26-year-old Paraguayan striker who has been in fine form for the runaway Bundesliga leaders this term, leading to speculation over a potential big-money move away from Signal Iduna Park.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson was thought to be one of the parties interested in the player, with the Anfield chief searching for an attacking foil for Fernando Torres as his number one priority in the New Year.

However, Spanish paper Marca claims that Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has joined the chase for the player, with the La Liga giants keen to find cover for Argentine international striker Gonzalo Higuain.

A long-term target of the Merseyside outfit, Barrios is thought to have originally appeared on the Liverpool radar when Rafa Benitez was in charge of the club.

Hodgson is believed to have continued the interest after glowing references from the Liverpool scouts, and were considering an offer in the region of €17.5 million.

French midfielder linked

After the terrible loss to Stoke this weekend Roy Hodgson admits he has doubts over his Liverpool future, as fans call for legend Kenny Dalglish to replace him.

Hodgson, on the other hand, asks us to judge him after 38 to 55 games.

Yann M'Vila.

The hottest rumour the last 24 hours is that of the Rennes youngster Yann M'Vila. Roy Hodgson flew to France on Sunday to watch him.

He saw M'Vila play for his current club against Auxerre.

Although M'Vila's side lost 1-0, according to SportsVibe the Liverpool manager's mind seems to be set on acquiring the youngster to shore up the Reds' midfield.

M'Vila, who plays as a holding player primarily, has received an abundance of plaudits around France for his physical strength and, even at the tender age of 20, has already appeared four times for the national side.

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Mvila burst onto the scene at Rennes last season, displacing former Liverpool player Bruno Cheyrou from the side. M'Vila has excellent physical strength and is renowned as an effective ball winner, who is then able to use the ball sensibly.  His rapid rise has also been helped by a real maturity in his game.

Discuss today's rumours on Murphy's Chat!

It's believed a fee of £15m could be enough to secure the 20-year-old's services, The Daily Mail reports.

Valter Birsa.

In addition to M'Vila Hodgson is believed to have watched two more players in action on sunday.

Auxerre's Delvin Ndinga is another believed to have caught the eye, with a number of clubs from across Europe monitoring his situation.

Another player to have been linked with Liverpool in the past is Slovenian striker Valter Birsa and Hodgson may have taken the opportunity to run the rule over him.

The Auxerre striker impressed at the 2010 World Cup and it is expected to be only a matter of time before he is on his way to pastures new, Sky Sports reports.

Lucas Barrios.

Another reported transfer target for Hodgson is Dortmund striker Lucas Barrios.

He represents the type of big-name signing that many LFC fans long to see.

The well built 26 year old has been a remarkable success in the Bundesliga since his move from Colo Colo in the summer of 2009.

Barrios has netted 31 goals in 50 matches for Dortmund and has attracted a great deal of interest as his form of late has helped take his side clear at the top of the table.

Barrios, 26, is valued at about £12m.