TERRY VENABLES' so-called luck could run out today if Finnish ace Jari Litmanen produces the form which made him a Middlesbrough target before he joined boyhood heroes Liverpool.

Boro head coach Venables yesterday labelled Litmanen "maybe the signing of the season'' on a free transfer from Barcelona.

The 29-year-old front-runner fulfilled a lifetime dream when he moved to Anfield after Boro were frustrated in an attempt to lure him to Teesside.

And, ahead of Litmanen's home debut against Boro this afternoon, Venables insisted the capture could help Liverpool gain ground on champions Manchester United.

"Liverpool have made an outstanding acquisition in Litmanen and I think he'll make a big difference to the team,'' said Venables.

"He's maybe the outstanding signing of the season because I think he'll bring the best out of other players there.

"He's a very clever player. I looked at him a lot when I was in charge of England because we watched Ajax, where he played, and the Dutch system before we played against them.

"We would have been very keen to have him here at Middlesbrough. We enquired about him because we felt he would be a big plus for us.

"But he's a big Liverpool fan and we didn't get very far - about half a step.

"Now he could bridge that gap between Liverpool and Manchester United.''

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier, who dubbed his opposite number "Lucky Venables'' after Boro's 1-0 home win over the Merseysiders on Boxing Day, has forked out heavily in a so-far fruitless pursuit of Sir Alex Ferguson's imperious side.

"Houllier feels that, with the amount of money he has spent, they want to be nearer Manchester United,'' said Venables.

"I think, with the players they've got, they should be a top-two side.

"It's not just about one man like Litmanen - it's about the whole squad.

"Everyone always knew Emile Heskey was a good player, but it was a question of how he was going to adapt when he went there from Leicester.

"He's now a big player for Liverpool, and when he's chosen ahead of Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler, that says it all.''

Boro manager Bryan Robson has tried and failed to bring £12m-rated Fowler to the Riverside.

And Venables yesterday confirmed his own membership of the Fowler fan club.

"I picked Robbie for England, he's an outstanding player, and I'm a big fan of his,'' said Venables.

Fowler this week insisted he wants to fight for his place after being axed by Houllier following a nightclub incident which left the striker with facial injuries.

"When you've had injuries and setbacks like he has, you always splutter a bit form-wise,'' said Venables.

"It would take a lot of money to get him. I think we just remain fans at the moment.''

Venables, meanwhile, bears no grudges about Houllier's Festive outburst.

He stressed: "After games we all say things when we're a bit uptight, and maybe he said something he would have regretted.

"But I would be happy if he was saying lucky Venables after this game!''

Venables' unbeaten run of seven games at the Boro helm is on the line after last week's impressive 4-0 destruction of relegation rivals Derby County.

"It's a very difficult game for us,'' conceded Venables. "After winning 3-0 at Aston Villa last week, Liverpool will be buoyant.

"But we had a good win as well. We played some good football right through the team and we hope to keep our form going.''

Boro boss Robson this week admitted Venables' stay could yet be extended beyond the end of the season.

But Venables, facing major commitments next season as a pundit with ITV, maintained: "I won't be drawn into talking about anything other than the job in hand here.

"We don't want to disturb that in the slightest - but it's nice to be wanted.''

Forgotten man Alan Moore, who last made a first-team appearance almost two years ago, is recalled to the Boro squad after serious calf problems.

Colin Cooper, sidelined for three matches with knee and ankle injuries, also returns along with Robbie Stockdale.

But Keith O'Neill is doubtful because of a groin injury and Hamilton Ricard serves a one-match ban.

Brian Deane and Noel Whelan will contest Ricard's striking berth alongside Alen Boksic