Bridge: England U-21 star (GaryMPrior/Allsport)

Manager Gerard Houllier has been on the look-out for a specialist left back for the past two years and has settled on England Under 21 defender Bridge.

The 21-year-old has been under scrutiny all season and remains firmly in Liverpool's sights, despite Houllier's recent health scare.

As he continues his recovery from heart surgery, Houllier has kept in regular contact with assistant manager Phil Thompson and has continued to discuss potential candidates to strengthen his title-challenging squad.

Bridge is one of the leading names to fill the problem left back spot after establishing himself as an automatic choice under former Saints boss Glenn Hoddle last season and playing a prominent role for the England Under 21s.

His fiercely-committed style singled him out as a long-term answer to England's shortage of left-sided defenders and prompted speculation that Hoddle wanted to take him to White Hart Lane.

Tottenham's hopes of a £6million deal for Bridge were dashed when he accepted a two-year extension to his contract and tied himself to his home club until 2006. Southampton were also unhappy at the way Spurs snapped up their manager Hoddle and then centre back Dean Richards.

It is believed that Southampton would be prepared to talk to Anfield officials if they offer a fee in excess of £7m and act with greater speed than Tottenham during their protracted pursuit of Richards.

Apart from a lucrative financial package, they can offer Bridge the incentive of a place in the Champions League.

While Southampton would be reluctant to part with one of their brightest prospects, they are aware of their squad's inadequacies in other areas and may be forced to concede that a bumper fee for Bridge could be used to fund new manager Gordon Strachan's transfer needs.

Liverpool are also keeping an eye on the increasingly uneasy relationship between Sir Alex Ferguson and Mikael Silvestre at Old Trafford.

Ferguson only just pipped Houllier for the £4m signature of Silvestre from Inter Milan two years ago but has become dismayed by the 24-year old French defender's criticism of recent team selection and tactics.

While the Liverpool manager remains an admirer of the versatile Silvestre, he accepts that bitter rivals United are unlikely to sanction a move to Anfield.

Bridge, who has also attracted interest from Aston Villa and Leeds, has done enough to convince Houllier that he has the credentials to provide Liverpool with an orthodox left back for the first time in years.

Jamie Carragher has filled in on the left over the past two seasons - and even played there for England against Sweden on Saturday - but his natural position may be on the right.

John Arne Riise has also been called on, even though his attacking qualities are more suited to a wing back role.

Bridge's arrival would provide a lasting solution and increase Liverpool's growing contingent of top young English players.