LIVERPOOL are on the verge of landing Christian Poulsen after Roy Hodgson admitted he would relish the chance to work with the Denmark international again.

The Reds have been in discussions with Juventus and are understood to have agreed a fee in the region of 6m euros for Poulsen.

Poulsen’s advisor, Joern Bonnesen, jetted into Merseyside yesterday to discuss terms for his client and once a contract has been finalised, he will move to Anfield.

Hodgson signed the now 30-year-old when he was boss of FC Copenhagen in 2000 and 12 months later they celebrated winning Denmark’s Superliga.

Now, having admitted that discussions are at an advanced stage, Hodgson – whose side face FC Rabotnicki at Anfield tonight – is hopeful he will land his man.

“It is correct that we are negotiating with Christian Poulsen,” Hodgson said. “It would be a good transfer if it goes through as he is a player I know really well.

“If we can prise him away from Juventus for a price that we feel is reasonable, he will be an excellent player to introduce to our team.

“I have known him for a long time and he is a fantastic player. I was responsible in some way for launching his career and I have followed it ever since.”

It is not yet known whether Poulsen’s imminent arrival spells the end of the pursuit for Standard Liege’s Steven Defour but it is another clear sign that Javier Mascherano is heading to Inter Milan.

The Argentine midfielder will not play against Rabotnicki, as he was not named in the squad Hodgson originally handed into UEFA.