by Christian Bailey
Liverpool are said to be lining up a bid for Aston Villa striker Darren Bent who is said to be nearing a full recovery from an ankle injury that has kept him sidelined for much of the second half of the current campaign. Kenny Dalglish is reportedly interested in the England international who still has hopes of making Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2012 squad.
The 28 year old former Tottenham and Sunderland forward had netted a healthy total of nine goals in 22 Premier League appearances before he picked up his injury in late February and there was a great deal of speculation that a falling out with boss Alex McLeish may well lead to a bid from prospective suitors but talk of a summer exit died down following Bent’s ruptured ligament injury.
Liverpool could well do with alternative attacking options after managing just 43 goals in 36 Premier League matches. Luis Suarez has been the attacker in chief and even though Andy Carroll has scored three in his last five matches the former Newcastle United man is still yet to make a real impact at the Merseyside club.
Bent is a proven Premier League marksman and the London born striker may not be all that keen at remaining at an Aston Villa side who have found themselves in the midst of a relegation battle this term.
Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has already stated that he is unlikely to hand McLeish large sums in the summer and this could lead to the club’s star performers considering their futures.
Darren Bent has notched up in 99 goals in eight Premier League seasons and is the kind of consistent performer that Dalglish may feel he needs to bring in to partner Suarez up front in order to push his Anfield side back into the top four after three lean seasons away from the top table.
