Liverpool line up Delph as Gerrard successor

Liverpool have allegedly earmarked Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph as a potential successor to Steven Gerrard. England international Delph is out of contract at Villa Park this summer, and the Reds are the frontrunners for his signature, The Mirror reports. Although Liverpool are keen to keep Gerrard after his contract expires next summer, manager Brendan Rodgers is already said to be weighing up possible replacements for the 34-year-old. Villa boss Paul Lambert has been tipped to cash in on Delph and defender Ron Vlaar to prevent them from leaving on free transfers in January.