MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04:  Adam Johnson of Manchester City in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Fulham at the Etihad Stadium on February 4, 2012 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)It's been a rough stretch in recent memory for Liverpool, but bringing in Manchester City winger Adam Johnson would give the Reds an immediate boost and propel their chances of becoming a squad capable of landing in the Premier League's top four.

Mirror Football reports that Liverpool are preparing a £16 million bid for the England national star, who struggled to find playing time on the 2012 EPL champions' squad.

Recently named manager Brendan Rodgers has been hard at work trying to improve his team after unloading longtime great Dirk Kuyt. And at just 24 years of age, Johnson seems like a natural fit to replace the Dutch footballer.

Johnson may not be enticed by Liverpool's title chances, but the opportunity to gain his own starting role on a team that values him could be the leading motivation for him.
The chance to play his former team twice per year and the chance to prove his doubters at Etihad wrong could be too attractive of an option to pass up.
This move could do much more for Johnson's career than simply improve his playing chances with his club team.
 
111994536_crop_650x440He was passed up on England's 23-man Euro 2012 roster, and the move would bring him enough exposure and allow him to showcase his talents to improve his graces with the Three Lions' coaching staff.
With three Liverpool midfielders on the English roster (Stewart Downing, Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson) already, he could come in and take one of their spots not only on the club roster, but the international one as well.

Liverpool's had its fair share of struggles in the past few years, but it's done very little to impact their relevance as an international powerhouse. It's still seen as one of the most historic clubs in football's history, and that won't change.
Their permanent spot on football's map will allow Johnson to thrive at Anfield, instead of disappearing beneath the shadows of other players with Manchester City.

Johnson's skill landed him in a starter's role in 10 games during Manchester City's title run, and there's no doubt that he'd be allowed a starter's spot game in and game out with Liverpool.
With growing and young talent, the undying thirst for stars to play at Anfield and the EPL's history, it's only a matter of time until Liverpool returns as a top-four finisher every year and a constant threat to the title.