Reds linked with La Liga raid

Liverpool are reportedly ready to battle it out with Chelsea for out-of-favour Barcelona striker David Villa in January.

Villa has dropped down the pecking order at Camp Nou, with numerous reports suggesting the Spain international has fallen out with club talisman Lionel Messi, although these have been denied on a number of occasions.

The former Valencia man has stated he has no plans to depart the Catalan club, but Spanish publication Marca claim the decision has been taken out of his hands and he has been placed on the transfer list by Barca.

Marca have reported that Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa are all interested in the striker, who is likely to be sold for considerably less than the €40million Barcelona paid for his services two years ago.

Kenny Dalglish has already invested heavily in his front line with Andy Carroll, Luis Suarez and Craig Bellamy all fighting for a berth in the side but the chance to sign Villa may prove very tempting for the Reds boss.