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Liverpool head the race for Aston Villa’s England ace Fabian Delph as they weigh up replacements for Steven Gerrard.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has frequently benched Gerrard this term and the midfielder turns 35 in May.

His contract expires next summer and though the Anfield club want him to stay they are already weighing up alternatives.

They are now considering a move for Delph, 25, who is out of contract at Villa Park in the summer.

Villa boss Paul Lambert may cash in on Delph and defender Ron Vlaar next month to prevent them walking on Bosmans in July.

Lambert has instructed Villa scouts to look for a new central midfielder, defender and striker.

Delph was Villa’s player of the season last term and broke into the England team in earlier this season before dislocating his shoulder.

Fabian Delph since August 2013 42 Games 3 Goals 2 Assists

He is now fit again and team-mates reckon he is turning into an all-round box-to-box midfielder with surging runs reminiscent of Gerrard in his pomp.

Delph’s is also represented by Struan Marshall who is Gerrard’s agent.

Marshall has close links with Anfield and previously took Stewart Downing from Villa to Liverpool in July 2011.

MirrorSport revealed in October Villa had tabled a new contract offer to Delph but the ace is keeping his options open.