Liverpool and Tottenham in race to sign Brad Friedel

Friedel is out of contract at Aston Villa (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool are facing competition from Tottenham in the bid to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel, Press Association Sport understands.

Friedel has emerged as a target for Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, who is looking for a new goalkeeper after the up and down form of Heurelho Gomes last season.

It is a difficult decision for the 39-year-old Friedel, who is now out of contract at Villa although they are also keen to retain his services.

Friedel is only likely to be offered a one-year deal by Redknapp, who will seek a long term replacement for Gomes, but there is the lure of being first choice.

He is keen to add to his all-time record of 275 successive appearances in the Barclays Premier League.

Liverpool are offering a two-year contract - and a coaching role - but Friedel, who lives in Cheshire, will only be number two to Pepe Reina.

West Brom are also interested but they are well down the pecking order with Friedel.

Meanwhile, Villa winger and player of the year Stewart Downing is refusing to commit to a new contract with the midlands club.

Villa caretaker boss Gary McAllister intimated that Villa would be opening talks with Downing over signing an improved and extended deal.

But Downing, who has two years remaining of his current contract, has indicated that will not be happening in the foreseeable future.

The former Middlesbrough player told the Northern Echo: "I know the club are keen for me to extend my contract as I only have two years left on my deal.

"My agent (Struan Marshall) had a recent meeting with our chief executive (Paul Faulkner).

"However, I am 26, and at a major crossroads in my career, so I won't be committing to a new deal at the moment."