Liverpool 'must raise bid' for Stewart Downing

Liverpool will have to up their bid if they want to remove Stewart Downing from Villa Park, reports suggest.

It was revealed earlier in the week that Kenny Dalglish hoped to sign the international winger for up to £15m, but Aston Villa have indicated that they would require closer to £20m, according to The Mirror.

Downing, who was imported from Middlesbrough for £10m, has two years to run on his contract with Villa.

The 26-year-old would join Jordan Henderson, who made the move to Anfield last week, in midfield.