Curbs to cost £4m

Liverpool will have to pay Charlton £4million if they want Alan Curbishley.

Although he signed a new three-year deal in February, Curbishley has a get-out clause which would allow him to move to one of the Premiership's top clubs if they buy out the remainder of his contract.

It is being claimed this morning that senior Liverpool directors approached the Charlton manager last month to discuss the possibility of him taking over from Gerard Houllier.

The reports allege that a discussion took place in the Anfield boardroom on 12 April, after Charlton had won 1-0 at Anfield, and was attended by Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry. He is said to have "bent the ear" of Curbishley about the possibility of taking charge this summer.

He has emerged as one of the three main contenders to replace Houllier, who was ditched as boss yesterday after six years in charge, along with Valencia's Rafael Benitez and Porto's Jose Mourinho.

It is understood that 46-year-old Curbishley has key admirers in the Anfield boardroom and there is a strong faction who would like him appointed immediately.

But, Parry is also believed to have spoken to associates of Benitez, who has won the Spanish league and the UEFA Cup with Valencia, however it is thought he wants to stay with them.

Mourinho has said he would like the job in the past and is also believed to have been approached.