Liverpool ready Europe striker raid

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is preparing to make a January raid on Europe in order to bring in at least one more striker, with Roma's Mirko Vucinic and Mainz 05's Adam Szalai his preferred targets.

Hodgson has identified the team's forward ranks as the weak link after a poor start to the season, with Fernando Torres and David Ngog his only realistic options in attack in the team's senior ranks.

And the former Fulham boss is preparing to spend a significant chunk of any transfer kitty made available to him by the club's new owners, the NESV group, on bringing in a capable forward.

Montenegran international Vucinic has attracted plaudits for his form over the last 12 months, although the 27-year-old may be too expensive for the Reds if, as expected, his price tag is set significantly above the £20million mark.

However, Hodgson has also identified Szalai - a 22-year-old Hungarian currently plying his trade in the Bundesliga - as a more realistic and affordable option.

The Reds are expected to approach Roma in an attempt to prize the versatile Vucinic away from Italy for around £12million.

But the Serie A side are not expected to undervalue the player, given that he only signed a new, long-term contract last year.

If that bid fails, Hodgson is said to have told the club's new owners he is willing to turn his attention towards a younger model in the shape of Szalai, who has earned the praise of the club's scouting network in recent months.

The Hungarian has played in Real Madrid's B side, as well as for German giants Stuttgart and now Mainz, but is still likely to be a relative bargain at around £2.5million.

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