Rafa Benitez and Martin O'Neill will go head-to-head again in a £20million battle for Ashley Young.
Aston Villa are bracing themselves for Liverpool's offer for England winger Young, although O'Neill has warned potential bidders to expect 'short shrift'.
That will not deter Kop boss Benitez, who is also on the verge of winning his fight to keep midfielder Xabi Alonso.
The lure of a Premier League title challenge and Champions League action at Anfield will be tough for Young to resist, especially in a World Cup season.
Benitez and O'Neill fought a bitter transfer war over Gareth Barry 12 months ago. The Villa boss frustrated Benitez on that occasion, when the Anfield board refused to meet the midfielder's £18m valuation.
This time Benitez can expect the funds to get his man, although Villa recently slapped a £30m price tag on the 24-year-old.
In another massive boost to Liverpool's title hopes, Alonso is ready to commit himself for another season.
Alonso WILL be part of the club's Far East tour having rejoined the squad ahead of a friendly in Vienna tonight.
Real Madrid had set a deadline of this weekend for a £27m transfer, but that will pass without a deal and they will not be encouraged to bid again.
Evo friske informacije,izgleda da nam XAbi ostaje,mada nisam ni sumnjo u njega,,jos kad bi young doso
