Liverpool Transfer News: Reds in Talks with Sochaux Winger

Sochaux winger Ryad Boudebouz has claimed Livepool have held preliminary discussions with his agent regarding a possible move to Anfield in the summer. Although his club finished 14th in the French Ligue 1 this season, Boudebouz himself had an impressive season, with six goals and six assists to his name. The performance seems to have attracted the Reds' attention and the player himself has admitted he would like to move to a bigger club.

"Certainly, my agent is in talks with some clubs, particularly in France, but there is still nothing concrete. There is also Liverpool, who have initiated discussions with my agent, but at the risk of repeating myself, everything is in the discussion stage, no more," Sky Sports quoted the 22 year old as saying. Lyon, Lille and Marseille are believed to be the French clubs interested in signing the Algerian, who was part of his country's 3-0 win over Niger in Saturday's friendly.

Meanwhile, Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard believes Manchester United winger Ashley Young can be a major weapon for the Three Lions at the summer's European Championships, should he be deployed in a central role behind the main striker.

Young scored the winner on Saturday as England beat Norway 1-0 in Oslo, in Roy Hodgson's first game in charge as manager. The former Aston Villa man, who now has four goals in four games for his country, played up front with Reds striker Andy Carroll and Gerrard believes the 26 year old will be key for England at this summer's showpiece tournament.

"Ashley is a good player and when he plays that withdrawn role off the front man and gets in between the lines, he is very dangerous and skilful. Opposing defenders and midfielders don't know how to pick him up because he finds the space so well," Goal.com quoted Gerrard as saying.

"He is in good form for England and is scoring a lot of goals at the right time with the Euros coming up. We are really pleased with Ashley's performance and I thought him and Andy look decent together," the skipper added.

Meanwhile, Gerrard is battling injury concerns ahead of the European Championships and there were fears, when he was replaced after the break in the game against Norway, he may have suffered another setback. However, the 31 year old insisted it was a pre-meditated move to shield him from picking up any knocks late on.

"It was always the plan for me to play 45 minutes. I had a bit of a tight hamstring towards the end of the season. I missed a couple of games towards the end. But I'm fine, I've come through 45 minutes and I'm raring to go next week," Gerrard stressed.

Incidentally, Gareth Barry, the player who replaced Gerrard, picked up an injury himself, which is likely to rule the Manchester City man out of the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.