Liverpool preparing £18m spending spree to sign Daniel Sturridge and Tom Ince

Brendan Rodgers to splash the cash during January window

Liverpool are lining up an £18m double swoop for Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge and Blackpool's promising youngster Tom Ince.

Brendan Rodgers has been desperate to boost his strike force with injuries at times leaving him with only Luis Suarez as a recognised forward. So far, the Uruguayan has delivered for the Reds, but such an over-reliance on one player is not a situation Rodgers wants to continue.

Liverpool have money to spend having been thwarted in their attempts to sign Clint Dempsey from Fulham during the summer, and subsequent failure to bring in an alternative.

The Reds are understood to have held negotiations with Chelsea and Blackpool already, and are close to agreeing deals for the pair.

Sturridge, who is keen to exit Stamford Bridge after a lack of first team opportunities, will cost £12m. The England international came close to joining over the summer but the deal fell through when Rodgers wanted a loan deal rather than signing him permanently.

Ince, who only left Liverpool for Blackpool in 2011, will cost in the region of £6m. Although a sell-on clause in his original move to Bloomfield Road will ensure some of the fee will be offset. Liverpool are understood to be keen to wrap up a deal quickly in light of his outstanding season so far that has brought 13 Championship goals and a regular place in the England under-21 set-up.