Exclusive: Liverpool want Emile Heskey back at Anfield after England heroics

Emile Heskey is a shock target for Liverpool.

The England striker will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season and that has aroused interest at Anfield.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez is considering bringing back the former Liverpool player in a cut-price deal.

Heskey knows he is in a great position regarding his future because he has just six months left on his current contract.

Asked whether other clubs will take notice, Heskey said yesterday: "Yeah, I hope so. It's a nice situation that I'm in but I'm still a Wigan player and I want to do my best for them.

"Everyone wants to be playing on these big stages and for their club to be in the Champions League."

Benitez is aware he could either get Heskey for a small fee in January or for nothing at the end of the season. The Liverpool boss sold Heskey to Birmingham back in 2004, but that deal was brokered by predecessor Gerard Houllier before his arrival on Merseyside.

Benitez has been impressed with the way Heskey has rebuilt his career since being shown the exit at Liverpool. The burly striker has forced his way back into the England side since arriving at Wigan and produced a string of impressive performances under Fabio Capello.

It would not be the first time the Liverpool manager has brought back a former player - Robbie Fowler's return to Anfield was a major surprise too.

And Benitez sees the possible capture of Heskey as a similar deal.

But he could face competition from Tottenham and Aston Villa.

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