Liverpool Tracking Mata Contract Talks

Liverpool are keeping close tabs on Juan Mata's drawn-out contract talks with Valencia.

Despite Sunday's win against Chelsea, injuries to Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt in the opening matches of the season exposed a thread-bare Liverpool attacking line.

Hodgson is keen to bolster his squad and avoid any other potential injury-crisis later in the season, and Liverpool will look to add quality in-depth.

Mata would almost certainly fit the bill, and Torres and Jose Reina could play a key role in enticing the player into a Premier League move. It would also please new owners NESV, who want to see young, attacking talent swell the Liverpool ranks.

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