LIVERPOOL have emerged favourites in the Premier League chase to sign Ipswich Town super kid Connor Wickham.

The struggling Merseyside club have the 17-year-old striker very much on their radar and see the England Under-19 international helping them become a force again.

A representative from the troubled Anfield-based outfit was at Watford on Tuesday when Wickham showed his best form of the season after coming on as a 57th minute substitute in a 2-1 Championship defeat at Vicarage Road.

When Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson was at Fulham he will have known all about Wickham through the teenager’s exploits in the Under-18 ranks.

And with Wickham being a fan of the once mighty Reds a chance to play in front of the Kop every other week would no doubt appeal.

While Arsenal are still keeping strong tabs on Wickham and likely to make a bid in the region of �10million either in January or the summer if the youngster’s potential looks as though it will be fulfilled, their north London neighbours Tottenham have dropped out of the race.

Spurs no longer have Wickham in their sights after being reported to have a �6million bid turned down last close season.

With Wayne Rooney seeking a much-publicised move away from Manchester United, Wickham’s name will inevitably be linked to a move to Old Trafford, but he will need to advance considerably to be seriously considered as a replacement for England star Rooney.

Wickham is on contract to Ipswich until the summer of 2012, and his mentors including his influential father Stefan have no desire for the boy to leave Portman Road.

But every player has a price, and Liverpool are believed to be considering making an offer so that they can take onboard one of the best up-and-coming players England currently has to offer.

Wickham, who helped England make progress in an Under-19 tournament in Belgium last week, sustained an ankle injury in pre-season, and has yet to show his best form this term although he is expected to start at Nottingham Forest on Saturday after causing Watford all sorts of problems towards the end of Tuesday’s match.