Liverpool are ready to test Aston Villa's resolve to hang on to their England striker Darren Bent.

People Sport understands that Bent would jump at the chance to link up again with his former Villa team-mate and England colleague Stewart Downing at Anfield. And Liverpool, who have noted that Bent is failing to reproduce his England form for Villa, are weighing up a bid.

The Merseysiders know they would have to match the £24million Villa paid Sunderland for Bent last January.

But with Luis Suarez facing an eight-match ban and Andy Carroll struggling for form and goals, Liverpool are tempted to take the plunge.

After last year's £50m sale of Fernando Torres to Chelsea, the net transfer spend of new owners Fenway Sports remains relatively modest - and Reds boss Kenny Dalglish still has funds available.

Bent, 27, has become a regular England starter over the past 12 months.

People Sport revealed last month that Bent was unhappy with the service he was receiving from the wings at Villa Park following the big-money departures of Downing to Anfield and Ashley Young to Manchester United.

Their replacement, Charles N'Zogbia, has hardly got out of first gear with Alex McLeish's side either.

Villa manager McLeish has gone out of his way to stress that there are no problems between him and his misfiring striker.

Bent was on the substitutes' bench at Stamford Bridge yesterday after missing the last three Villa games because of a thigh injury.

But he came on to replace N'Zogbia with 12 minutes left and scored Villa's third in a stunning 3-1 win.

Source: Sunday People

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.