Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson wants to raid former club Fulham for midfielder Simon Davies as he looks for cheaper options for the January transfer window.

Davies, 31, may be available for less than £2million because of his advancing years – and Hodgson is desperate to add some guile and zeal to the wider positions in his midfield.

However, the winger only recently signed a new contract to take him up to 2013 at Craven Cottage – meaning club chairman Mohamed Al-Fayed will have significant bargaining power when negotiations begin.

Hodgson worked with Davies for three seasons in west London – reaching the final of the inaugural Europa League competition in the manager’s last campaign at the club.

And the 63-year-old is keen to be reunited with Davies, who played some of the best football of his career as part of Hodgson’s squad.

The player will also be well-acquainted with the Reds manager’s methods – which were being singled out as a major reason for the team’s poor start to life after Rafael Benitez earlier this season.

But those same criticisms now seem to have dwindled after a run of five wins in seven matches since their 2-0 defeat at local rivals Everton in October.