Liverpool ponder swoop for out of favour Barcelona midfielder

In a bid to boost his attacking midfield options, Kenny Dalglish is targeting wantaway Barcelona midfielder and former PSV wonder kid Ibrahim Afellay.

A £2m signing for Barcelona in January, Afellay has made just six appearances for the Spanish giants and has failed to make an impact at the Nou Camp which can boast a World Cup winning midfield trio.

Highly rated from his days playing for PSV, it is believed Liverpool are preparing an £8.5m bid for the Dutch midfielder as Kenny Dalglish targets a return to the glory days of the late 80’s.

Liverpool are 6/1 to finish in the top four this season but considering they are six points behind Chelsea in fifth and eight points behind Tottenham Hotspur in fourth, Dalglish faces a tough task.

But with the Liverpool board obviously keen to back Dalglish in the transfer market having already signed Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, Liverpool fans can afford to be optimistic about next season.

Afellay would certainly offer Liverpool a more attacking outlet in midfield and with a goal every 4.4 games for PSV, Afellay would add another goal scoring midfield option alongside Steven Gerrard.

Liverpool face a tricky trip to Upton Park on Sunday as West Ham chase a vital three points, and the Reds can be backed at 11/10 to beat the relegation-threatened club.

But Liverpool fans who are eagerly anticipating the debut of Andy Carroll will have to wait another week after Kenny Dalglish ruled his £35m striker out of the West Ham clash.

However Luis Suarez continues to impress the Liverpool faithful having featured in 120 minutes of Premier League action, and with one goal to his name already, Suarez is 4/1 to get the first goal against West Ham on Sunday.

A £25 stake on Liverpool finishing in the top four would return £175. New customers can sign up here for a free Premier League bet worth £25.