Liverpool have again been linked with Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey.

Reports suggest that Reds manager Rafael Benitez wants the England international to return to Anfield as the club attempts to get their season back on track in the new year.

Heskey has struggled for regular game time under Martin O'Neill at Villa Park so a move may not be out of the question, especially if Benitez can offload some assets in January .

Benitez has options to make quick money by selling one or more of Ryan Babel, Andriy Voronin, Andrea Dossena and Philipp Degen which will create space to bring Heskey in if he sees fit.