Liverpool intend to make an opening bid for Aston Villa striker Darren Bent.

The People says Bent would jump at the chance to link up again with his former Villa team-mate and England colleague Stewart Downing at Anfield. And Liverpool, who have noted that Bent is failing to reproduce his England form for Villa, are weighing up a bid.

The Merseysiders know they would have to match the £24million Villa paid Sunderland for Bent last January.

But with Luis Suarez facing an eight-match ban and Andy Carroll struggling for form and goals, Liverpool are tempted to take the plunge.

After last year's £50m sale of Fernando Torres to Chelsea, the net transfer spend of new owners Fenway Sports remains relatively modest - and Reds boss Kenny Dalglish still has funds available.