Liverpool are planning to buy British in the summer.
Reds football chief Damien Comolli is working with manager Kenny Dalglish on their shopping list for the close-season transfer market.
The News of the World says Dalglish is said to prefer the acquisition of Aston Villa winger Stuart Downing to the Comolli-favoured Ashley Young in the January window.
Liverpool will make bids for both players in the summer, alongside Blackpool's Charlie Adam, Bolton's Gary Cahill and Everton's Leighton Baines.
