LIVERPOOL TRANSFER NEWS: Sturridge, Tello And Howedes Involved In Recent Speculation

Transfer speculation has swirled at Anfield since new boss Brendan Rodgers took over Liverpool and this week has been no exception.

With the status of loaned-out players Joe Cole and Alberto Aquilani still in question, Rodgers is scouring the market for available talent to boost his side to at least Champions League form.

Rodgers' vision has yet to take shape, but the former Swansea City boss has been adamant that his style and strategy will be executed at Anfield moving forward. Dutch International Dirk Kuyt is gone, and although no additions to Liverpool have been confirmed, it seems that they are fast approaching.

Cristian Tello remains a strong possibility to join Liverpool next season. The Spanish International forward will turn 21 in August and could receive a Liverpool jersey for his birthday this year. The Daily Mail reports that Barcelona will not give him up for less than £7 million, and the Spanish starlet is also being pursued by Valencia, Malaga, and Benfica, according to the British publication.

If Tello does not end up at Anfield, Rodgers may look domestically to add some attacking firepower to his new club. Daniel Sturridge appears to be on Rodgers's radar and the 22-year-old Englishman is reportedly unhappy at Chelsea, according to the Mirror. Sturridge was one of the few bright spots for Chelsea's early disappointing team under Andre Villas-Boas, but wasn't used nearly as frequently by Roberto Di Matteo as the team turned its fortunes around and won the Champions League.

Sturridge had 13 goals and seven assists in 41 appearances in all competitions last season and his reported unhappiness has drawn the interest of Tottenham and his former club, Manchester City, as well as Liverpool. After not getting picked for England's Euro 2012 squad, and with Chelsea's reported pursuit of Porto forward Hulk, a move for Sturridge may seem inevitable, but his destination remains in question.

Liverpool are reported to be planning to offer £15 million for Sturridge, who can play both center-forward and on the wing where Dirk Kuyt played for Liverpool. Sturridge prefers to play up front and models his game after Thierry Henry, who played on the wing for Juventus, but settled into the central attacking role with Arsenal.

Rodgers is also focusing on adding some defensive talent to the squad and has shown interest in Schalke 04 captain Benedikt Howedes. Caughtoffside.com reported that Liverpool has set its sights on the 24-year-old German international, who has traveled with the German squad to Poland for Euro 2012, but has yet to pick up an appearance.

Schalke earned a Champions League spot, so it may be difficult to convince Howedes to move, considering Liverpool could not qualify for Europe's most prestigious club tournament.