Carling Cup / Michael Lintorn / 13 January 2012 /

There are rumours that Liverpool are about to purchase one of the most hyped stars in the Football League, in the process weakening a side who they might face at Wembley...

Reports on Friday morning suggest that Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish made a call to Crystal Palace counterpart Dougie Freedman to sound him out ahead of a £10 million approach for his prize asset Wilfried Zaha.

As things stand, the two clubs are on course to meet in the final of the Carling Cup next month, with the Reds [1.43] to convert their 1-0 lead over Manchester City and Palace [1.95] to do likewise when they travel to Cardiff.

In addition to signing a highly-rated youngster, landing Zaha would enhance their chances of lifting a first trophy in almost six years, robbing the Eagles of their joint-top Carling Cup scorer for a potential Wembley showdown. Liverpool are [1.69] to win the competition, with the capital club still [12.0] outsiders.

Dalglish's conversation with Freedman is said to have not so much been about striking a deal, which presumably falls under Damien Comolli's remit, but to sound out his fellow Scot about the Ivory Coast-born 19-year-old's character.

Capturing the speedy forward would be quite the coup for Liverpool amidst alleged interest from the likes of Manchester United, whose manager Sir Alex Ferguson is also thought to have discussed Zaha with Freedman, Manchester City and Newcastle.

The Daily Mail claim that Palace won't sell the teenager until after their second leg at Cardiff, while progress to Wembley may see them try to keep hold of him until the summer. Zaha's contract has five years left to run, so the Championship side boast quite a strong negotiating position.

His many suitors will have another opportunity to check him out on Saturday when Leeds visit Selhurst Park in a match that the Carling Cup semi-finalists are slight [2.72] favourites in.

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