Brendan Rodgers also confirms that striker Daniel Sturridge is in the final stages of his recovery from injury and will be back in the country within 24 hours.

More from Brendan Rodgers: "We are going to make a push in every competition we are in to bring success. I am looking forward to it. Seven points may seem a lot but it can be whittled away, you just to have to perform consistently."

Villa boss Paul Lambert would not comment on a possible move for Manchester City's Scott Sinclair.

"He's a good player, I remember him at Swansea, but I'm conscious he's at another club," was all Lambert would say.

Image source, Getty Images

Lambert did say that owner Randy Lerner would put funds at his disposal for new players, but only a limited amount.

"There will be new players in this month and none now going out," he said.

Brendan Rodgers has been speaking in his pre-match news conference and is quickly pressed on Steven Gerrard and Liverpool's future without him: "Steven is still a top class player, he has been a world class talent for many years and him moving leaves a void on and off the pitch.

"However, the club has to keep moving forward, we have to look to get the best players we can. History shows that players come here and become great players and it is a big opportunity."

Villa's manager Paul Lambert confirmed that there had been no bids for either Ron Vlaar or Fabian Delph in the January transfer window.

Ipswich Town have signed forward Noel Hunt on a deal until the end of June following his release by Leeds.

The 32-year-old joined Town on loan in November, scoring once in four games, and had his Leeds contract terminated on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, keeper Dean Gerken has signed a new two-year deal with a 12-month option at Portman Road.

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester City have signed Croatia striker Andrej Kramaric for what is understood to be a club-record fee.

The deal, thought to be in excess of £9m, has been agreed subject to a work permit.

Kramaric played for Dinamo Zagreb between 2009 and 2013, before moving to FC Rijeka.

The Foxes, who have 14 points from 20 games, paid £8m in July 2014 for former Brighton striker Leonardo Ulloa to set their current record transfer fee.

BBC Radio Lancashire, external: Blackpool manager Lee Clark says a deal has been agreed to keep Jamie O'Hara at the Championship club until the end of the season. Clarke also reveals the Seasiders are close to signing three new players in time for Saturday's home game against Millwall.

The Oldham Chronicle reports, external that Oldham Athletic chairman Simon Corney is believed to have quit the club.

Earlier, Oldham decided against signing convicted rapist Ched Evans following threats to the club's "staff and their families".

Bad news for Stoke as forward Xherdan Shaqiri decides a move to Staffordshire is not for him and is set to join Inter Milan from Bayern Munich.

Inter confirms terms have been agreed and "just the paperwork to be signed."

Your loss Xherdan, can't beat a good Staffordshire Oatcake...

And Alan Pardew does indeed talk about his Newcastle exit: "I think for me personally and professionally it was the right time and the right time for Newcastle. It was my decision. Steve Parish met the clause in my contract and I had a decision to make and for me it was the right decision.

"Four years under that type of monetary situation and the fact they are trying to push and the history it was difficult for a manager but I left a good club with fantastic professionals and staff and players, who were phenomenal - also the fans. There has been a lot of talk - a lot of it completely off the mark - yes you get criticism from the stands but never once did I sense the criticism outside the ground.

"I had tremendous support during my time there and I want to thank all the fans. My resilience and character as a manager has grown as a nature of the club."

Image source, Getty Images

Some news coming out of the Villa press conference - skipper Ron Vlaar will be out for four to six weeks with a knee injury.

Vlaar was forced off during Villa's 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace after sustaining the injury.

Alan Pardew is giving his first news conference as Crystal Palace boss: "The players need a lift. Hopefully my arrival and a couple of players will do that.

"Hopefully we can go on a run that gets us at least to safety. Realistically this year one place above relegation would be enough for us to build this club again."

You would expect he will be asked about his Newcastle departure. We will have updates from the news conference here in Sportsday.

The Liverpool Echo has spoken to Scott Schrimscher, the personal trainer of Daniel Sturridge and the man overseeing the £12m forward's rehabilitation from injury in America.

Image source, Getty Images

He told the Echo:, external "Daniel has an incredible work ethic and is wonderful to work with. He is a class act and has a bright future ahead."

Will Brendan Rodgers have an update? His news conference coming up shortly...

Sturridge has made only three appearances for Liverpool this campaign after successive thigh and calf injuries. It is hoped the frontman will make his return later in the month.

More from the BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty, who has been answering your questions on the Match of the Day Facebook page, external.

Alan Maddock: Even with the creation of St George's Park, given all of the issues with football in this country today, will England ever have a football team that can seriously mount a challenge in the Euros and the World Cup (say in the next 20 years)?

Phil: Well, it is something the FA is trying to address, with Greg Dyke's blueprint for grassroots football and also the England DNA philosophy. Twenty years is long time in football so let's not rule it out - although there is no way other countries will stand still and wait for England to catch up.

Castleford winger Kirk Dixon says his respect for coach Daryl Powell and his team-mates swayed his decision to retire after undergoing neck surgery.

The 30-year-old, who has been with Tigers since 2006, faced a seven-month absence following the operation.

Image source, Getty Images

"I didn't want to sit there for seven months picking up a wage, taking up a spot and not contributing," Dixon told BBC Radio Leeds.

"I've got more respect for the club and the coach and players than that. It is the right decision all round.

Millwall are preparing to make a bid, external for Reading full back Shaun Cummings.

The Reading Chronicle reports that Cummings, 25, has struggled to hold down a regular place in Royals' first-team, and new boss Steve Clarke could let him go for the right price.

Steve Murphy: Would making the FA Cup. a Champions League qualifier competition make the top clubs field full-strength teams?

Phil: I'm sure it would - and I would absolutely love that to happen. Top three in the Premier League and the FA Cup winners into the Champions League sounds absolutely perfect to me. Will it happen? I don't think so. I would certainly get behind anyone who tried to make it happen and I suspect you would see full-strength teams all round.

More from the BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty, who has been answering your questions on the Match of the Day Facebook page, external.

James Stonley: Who was better, Gerrard, Lampard or Scholes?

Image source, Getty Images

Phil: Sorry James - I genuinely cannot separate them as they are (or were in Scholes' case) magnificent players. What I will say it makes you wonder how and England team containing all three of them did not win Euro 2004, the big missed opportunity at a major tournament in my opinion.

Barnsley bring in their third new face of the day by signing Manchester United midfielder Ben Pearson on a month's loan.

The 20-year-old has played for England at youth level.