Liverpool & United To Lock Horns Over Brazilian?

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Premier League giants Manchester United and Liverpool are locked in battle for the signature of Fluminense defender Anderson, according to The Sun.

Reds manager Rafa Benitez is understood to have been tracking 21-year-old Anderson for some time, with the Spaniard sending scouts to see the highly-rated Brazilian to check on his progress last year.

Benitez is keen on luring Anderson to Anfield, with the possibility that Danish International Daniel Agger (left) could leave the Merseyside club due to talks reportedly breaking down over a new deal and could force a transfer through to Serie A club AC Milan. The Rossoneri are still interested in bringing Agger to the San Siro, despite already having an offer for the former Brondby player rejected.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who already has the young Brazilian Da Silva twins at Old Trafford had declared the Red Devils spending in January over. Following the double capture of Serbian pair Zoran Tosic and Adem Ljajic from Partizan Belgrade, but is eager to add the Brazilian to his squad after the breakthrough of Rafael Da Silva into the Red Devils first team this season.

Anderson’s contract at the Tricolor Carioca is due to run out in the summer, with the defender available for as little as €3.5million. Anderson has played 31 times for Fluminense, with the defender making his Campeonato debut in 2006 after coming through the youth ranks at the club.

Ballack: Liverpool Main Title Threat Not United

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German International Michael Ballack has claimed that it is Liverpool and not Premier League Champions Manchester United, who pose the biggest threat to Chelsea’s title aspirations this season.

32-year-old Ballack had felt that the Red Devils were the main opposition to Chelsea bringing a 3rd Premiership title back to Stamford Bridge in five-years, but now believes that it is Rafa Benitez’s Reds side that will provide the main challenge to the Blues for the Premier League crown, come what May.

Ballack said: “A few weeks ago I was sure United were our strongest opponents.

“But now I think Liverpool are a major threat.

“They have shown in the past few games that they have the character to deal with being top of the league.

“They struggled in one or two games but even then we couldn’t get back on top.

“They deserve to be first and the teams behind have to wait for them to drop points or for teams in and around them to play each other. But they have shown they can handle pressure.”

Chelsea are just four-points clear of United and four behind leaders Liverpool as they face the European Champions at Old Trafford on Sunday, but United do have two games in hand.

Ferguson: Nerves Will Get To Liverpool In Title Challenge

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has fired the first shot to counterpart Rafa Benitez at Liverpool, with the United boss claiming that the Reds “will get nervous” as they look to close in on their first Premier League title this season.

Although the Red Devils trail Liverpool by 7 points as the Premiership enters into its first round of fixtures in 2009, Ferguson insists that the experience of bringing the title back to Old Trafford in the past two seasons will stand the Champions in good stead.

If Man United win their two games in hand they will be just a point behind the Merseyside club, with Ferguson knowing what it takes to win the Premier League from behind, having trailed Arsenal last season at this point and going on to win the Premiership.

Ferguson feels that the pressure of Liverpool trying to land their first top-flight title since 1990, will make the Anfield side nervous as they venture into the unknown and that if Benitez’s side make mistakes in the run-in they could be punished for them.

“There’s no doubt that in the second half of the season they will get nervous,” said Ferguson.

“With the experience we’ve got, having won a couple of titles in the past couple of years especially, it helps you.

“There’s no doubt about that. They’re going into the unknown, and if you make mistakes, then you get punished.”

Benitez Unlikely To Add To Liverpool Squad In January

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has revealed that it is unlikely that the Reds will be active in the transfer market this month, with the Spaniard admitting that it would be difficult and expensive to add better players to the squad at the Merseyside club.

Despite not having star striker Fernando Torres available for more than half of the 20 Premier League games played to date through injury. Liverpool are still three points clear at the top of the Premiership as they head into 2009, with Benitez claiming that due to the good squad already at Anfield he feels that any new acquisitions are unnecessary and would not be easy to come buy in January without a significant price tag attached.

“It will be difficult to bring anyone in January because we have a good squad,” Benitez told the BBC.

"To bring in anyone better than what we’ve got isn’t easy and could be expensive.”

Benitez had been linked with a move for former Liverpool player Emile Heskey at Wigan Athletic along with Tottenham Hotspur winger Aaron Lennon, who is also reportedly a target for Real Madrid.

Meanwhile, Andrea Dossena and Jermain Pennant both look destined to leave Anfield, with Pennant also linked with Real and Dossena failing to impress since his summer move from Udinese.

Juventus To Make Liverpool Double Swoop?

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Serie A giants Juventus are planning a double swoop for unsettled Liverpool pair Ryan Babel and Daniel Agger, with La Vecchia Signora hoping to take advantage of the financial problems at the Premier League club to lure the duo away from Anfield, according to The Mirror.

21-year-old Babel’s agent revealed recently that the Dutch International had wanted a loan move back to former club Ajax, with the winger growing frustrated at the lack of first team opportunities at the Merseyside club this season. Reds manager Rafa Benitez blocked this move, but Babel still remains unhappy at Anfield due to having to settle for a place on the bench this season under the Spaniard.

Agger (left) has also become unsettled at Liverpool for much the same reasons as Babel, with the Danish International falling behind Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel in the pecking order for a place in the heart of the Reds defence. Agger has been handed an opportunity recently due to an injury to Skrtel, but it remains to be seen whether the Dane can hold on to his place when Skrtel returns for the Premiership side.

In addition to this 24-year-old Agger is locked in talks over a new deal at Anfield and is also believed to be a target for AC Milan, who are keen to bring Agger to the San Siro to replace ageing stars Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta.

Juve coach Claudio Ranieri has also been heavily linked with William Gallas at Arsenal, with the Gunners interested in his own central defender Giorgio Chiellini. Should Gallas arrive in Turin and Chiellini go in the opposite direction then Ranieri sees Agger as the ideal replacement for the Italian. While, Babel is wanted by Ranieri to replace Czech star Pavel Nedved, who is coming to the end of a distinguished career at Juventus.

With it understood that Liverpool have to sell before they can buy in January, Juventus hope to take advantage by making an offer for the unsettled pair, which could see the duo leave Liverpool, with Benitez needing to raise funds for his own transfer targets next month.

Spurs To swoop For Liverpool & Villa Target?

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Tottenham Hotspur are planning a sensational £7million January swoop for Liverpool and Aston Villa target Antonio Valencia at Wigan Athletic, according to The Mirror.

23-year-old Valencia has been heavily linked with a move away from the JJB Stadium next month, with the Ecuadorian International reportedly on the wish list of both Reds manager Rafa Benitez and Villans boss Martin O’Neill, who are both eager to lure the right winger away from their Premier League rivals.

Now Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is understood to be interested in the Latics midfielder, with former White Hart Lane boss Juande Ramos now in charge at Real Madrid said to be keen on Tottenham wingers Aaron Lennon and David Bentley.

Should the Los Merengues coach make a move for either Lennon or Bentley next month, Redknapp has identified Valencia as the player to fill the void left by any departure at the North London club.

However, Tottenham will face stiff competition from Villa and Liverpool along with resistance from Wigan boss Steve Bruce, who has always maintained that Valencia will not be leaving the JJB in January and is a pivotal part of the Latics team.

Valencia joined Wigan from Recreativo on a permanent basis in 2007 after a successful loan spell at the JJB the previous season, with the midfielder making 59 league appearances and scoring 7 goals for the Latics since his arrival in the Premiership.

£15million Alonso To Join The Ramos Real Revolution?

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La Liga Champions Real Madrid have reportedly made a £15million offer for Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, with former Tottenham Hotspur boss Juande Ramos keen to bolster a depleted midfield at the Bernabeu, according to reports.

Ramos is already reportedly on the verge of signing Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra and now reports in Spain claim that Spanish International Alonso has also been the subject of a bid from Los Merengues. Ramos revealed on Monday that he needed two new players at the Bernabeu in January, with the former Spurs boss identifying the Madrid midfield as an area that needed strengthening.

Ramos told As: “We want a right winger and a midfielder. The club are working on it and I’m hopeful two talented players with a fighting spirit will join us pretty soon.”

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was eager to offload 27-year-old Alonso in the summer to raise the funds to buy Gareth Barry from Aston Villa. However, Serie A giants Juventus, who were keen on the midfielder baulked at the Merseyside clubs asking price and opted for Christian Poulsen at Sevilla instead.

Now with defensive-midfielder Mahamadou Diarra out through long-term injury, Ramos has found himself short in the centre of midfield and is believed to have made a firm offer for Alonso, who has been at Anfield since 2004 and has made 183 appearances for the Premier League club.

Tottenham To Swoop For £8million Babel?

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Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp is considering a January swoop for Liverpool’s unsettled Dutch International Ryan Babel, with the former Portsmouth manager set to offer £8million to lure the winger away from Anfield, according to the Daily Mirror.

21-year-old Babel is unhappy at the Merseyside club after finding limited opportunities in the Reds starting-eleven since the arrival of Albert Riera at the Premier League club in the summer. This led the Dutchman to ask Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez for a loan-move back to his former club Ajax, but this move was blocked by Benitez, who has insisted that Babel’s future is on Merseyside.

Although Babel has featured in most of Liverpool’s matches this season. Most of them have been from the bench and now Spurs are set to test the resolve of Benitez, who has been told by the American co-owner’s that he will have to sell players before any fresh faces arrive at Anfield in January.

Redknapp has identified the left side of the squad at White Hart Lane as an area that needs strengthening, with the Spurs boss deploying Aaron Lennon on the left wing in recent matches, who is naturally right footed and is understood to see Babel as the solution to that problem.

Whether Benitez is ready to cash in on Babel in January remains to be seen, but with the winger unsettled and not a regular starter, Benitez might decide that selling Babel to Tottenham would raise the necessary funds to bring in transfer targets of his own next month.

Agent: I Don't Know If Agger Will Stay At Liverpool

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Liverpool defender Daniel Agger, who is a target for European powerhouses AC Milan and Real Madrid in the January transfer window is edging closer to leaving Anfield after his agent Per Steffensen claimed that he didn’t know whether the Danish International would see out the remaining 18 months of his contract at the Merseyside club.

23-year-old Agger has always maintained that he is happy at the Premier League club, despite speculation linking the Danish central-defender with a move to the Bernabeu or the San Siro in January. However, while Agger has been a regular starter for Reds manager Rafa Benitez recently due to the injury to Martin Skrtel. It remains to be seen if he can hold on to his place, when Skrtel returns from injury, which the Slovakian defender is expected to do in a couple of weeks time.

Add to this reports that talks on a new deal for Agger at Liverpool have stalled and the Rossoneri vice-president Adriano Galliani declaring on Wednesday that a defender will be arriving at Milan in January, with Agger very much in their thoughts and the Danes future at Anfield looks less certain.

“We are going to sign a new defender in January, there's is no doubt about that," Galliani told Denmark's tipsbladet.dk.

“We have kept a frequent eye on Agger and his situation at Liverpool and have of course noticed the problems that Agger and Liverpool have on agreeing on a new contract.”

With Agger’s agent now refusing to comment on the situation regarding the former Brondby players new deal at Liverpool and conceding that he does not know if his client will remain at the Premiership club. A move away from Merseyside is looking ever more likely, with Milan the likely destination.

Steffensen said: “He still has 18 months left on his Liverpool contract, that is a fact.

“It’s not only up to Daniel. He has said he is happy at Liverpool but there are always two parties.

“I don't know if he will stay.”

Keane: "Some Players Would Be Crying, But I'm Too Strong For That"

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Liverpool’s summer signing from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur Robbie Keane, has claimed that he “will score a lot of goals” for the Reds, despite recent reports linking the Republic of Ireland International with a return to Spurs in January.

28-year-old Keane arrived at Anfield from White Hart Lane in a deal worth £20million, but has been misfiring since joining the Merseyside club, with the former Inter Milan player only managing to find the net twice in 15 Premiership matches for Rafa Benitez’s side so far this season.

Keane was an unused substitute for the 3-1 win against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, which fuelled speculation that the Irishman was due foe a short stay on Merseyside, with Tottenham linked with a January move to bring Keane back to North London.

This led to Benitez, having to tell Keane that he would not be sold in January and that the striker had a future at Anfield, but just needed more time to settle in. Keane, who was restored to the starting line-up for the 3-1 win over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Tuesday has also claimed that he wishes to remain at Liverpool and has vowed to repay Benitez’s faith in him by scoring lots of goals for the Reds.

Keane said of his performance against the Eredivisie Champions: “I am happy with my own performance, I was delighted to play in a position that I like, just off the striker.

“It meant that I was always involved, and I got an assist with the third goal. Yes, I like scoring, but I always like helping others get their goals too.

“My confidence has not been affected by things that have been said about me, things like that never get me down.

“I am confident that I will score a lot of goals for this club, I am not worried about the way things have gone, there is a lot more to come from me.

“Some players would let their heads go down and they would be crying, but I am too strong for that.

“I have only been here a few months, and it takes time to settle, so it is too early to judge me now.

“I am always confident in own ability, I have scored a lot of goals in the past, and that ability doesn't go away just like that.

“But I accept that at club like Liverpool, as a striker you are judged on the goals you score. I love scoring goals, but I also love being involved.

“I am just as pleased with assists so I will carry on doing that and it will be fine.”

Hodgson Concedes That Spurs, Arsenal & Liverpool Target Could Leave The Cottagers

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Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has admitted that it will be hard to hold on to defender Brede Hangeland in the January transfer window, should a big Premier League club come calling, with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool all reportedly linked with the Norwegian International.

27-year-old Hangeland joined Fulham in January from FC Copenhagen and has been a pivotal figure for the Cottagers in the Premiership this season. Hangeland has twice been voted Fulham’s Player of the Month this season, with his performances for the West London club attracting the interest of the Gunners and Spurs along with Rafa Benitez’s Reds team, who were linked with a move for Hangeland in 2007, while the Norwegian was at Copenhagen.

Hangeland cost Fulham just £2.5million, but despite Hodgson having no intention of letting the defender leave Craven Cottage. The former Inter Milan manager has conceded that if a “serious offer” should come in for the player, Fulham would have to give it consideration.

Hodgson told the press: “If a serious offer comes our way for Brede I'm pretty sure it'll have to be considered.

“When the day comes we'll have to take into account all the possibilities and probabilities and make a decision.

“But I would hope - and this might be a naive hope - that we could still keep him because he's got a long-term contract with us here.

“I know he's happy here and happy with his football, so hopefully it hasn't affected his thinking because I don't know what he reads into that type of speculation.”

However, Hodgson also revealed that while Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham have been linked with Hangeland in the press. There is still no indication that any of the trio are interested in the Norwegian captain.

“But at this stage we have absolutely no indication that Arsenal or any club of that stature are interested in Brede,” Hodgson added.

Benayoun Joins Babel In Wanting Anfield Exit

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Israeli International Yossi Benayoun has joined Liverpool team-mate Ryan Babel in voicing his discontent about limited opportunities at the Premier League club, with the former West Ham United player revealing that he will assess his situation at the Merseyside club in January or at the end of the season.

Benayoun was unveiled at Anfield on the same day as Babel last summer, but like the Dutchman, who declared that he wished to return to former club Ajax on loan is unhappy at having to settle for a place on the bench under Reds boss Rafa Benitez in the Premiership this season.

While 28-year-old Benayoun understands that it is hard for Benitez to drop anyone from a Liverpool side that is currently top of the Premier League and is prepared to be patient. Benayoun is also, having to consider if his long-term future is at Anfield or whether it lies elsewhere.

Benayoun told the Sun: “The boss had a chat with me a couple of weeks ago after stuff appeared in the newspapers about my future.

“I didn't ask for any talks - he said he wanted to speak to me about it and he just told me to stay calm, because I would get my chances in the team.

“We agreed it was important now for me to put any of my personal feelings to one side and concentrate on trying to keep us at the top of the table.

“There will be time for me to think about my situation in January or at the end of the season.

“So for now I'm happy to put that behind me and focus on doing my bit for the team. The problem for me is the manager is not rotating as much as he used to.

“It is the same 11 players every week, and they are doing so well, so no one can really complain.

“I have to be patient, but I'm still not sure whether, in the long term, my future will be here.”

Redknapp Ready To End Keane's Liverpool Hell?

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Tottenham Hotspur are ready to offer former striker Robbie Keane a way out of his Liverpool nightmare, when the transfer window opens in January, according to the Daily Mirror.

28-year-old Keane left White Hart Lane for Anfield in a £20million deal in the summer, but despite featuring in the first 15 Premier League games for the Merseyside club has only found the back of the net twice in the Premiership. This led to Reds boss Rafa Benitez dropping the Republic of Ireland International from the starting line-up that beat Blackburn Rovers 3-1 on Saturday at Ewood Park.

Keane did not even make it off the bench against Blackburn, despite Liverpool’s top-scorer from last season Fernando Torres being injured. This has led to speculation about Keane’s future on Merseyside, with Spurs boss Harry Redknapp reportedly ready to bring the striker back to the North London club.

The paper suggests that Redknapp is ready to offer £5million for Keane plus midfield duo Aaron Lennon and Jamie O’Hara in order to bring Keane back to White Hart Lane, with the former Portsmouth boss a big fan of the Irishman.

However, Benitez has always maintained that Keane will not be leaving Anfield and that the player just needs support to help him through this difficult period. A sentiment echoed by Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry.

On the other hand, Lennon has featured heavily for Spurs since Redknapp took over and as much as the Tottenham manager might want Keane back in North London it remains to be seen if he is willing to part with Lennon or indeed O’Hara, who has impressed this season to achieve that.

Benitez Snubs £12million Liverpool Offer

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has snubbed the Merseyside clubs initial £12million offer on a new deal at Anfield, with the former Valencia coach understood to be holding out for parity in financial terms with the other manager’s of the ‘Big Four’ clubs in the Premier League, according to The News of the World.

The initial offer was believed to be a two-year extension to Benitez’s current contract at Liverpool, which runs out in 2010, with his annual salary to rise from £3.5million to just under £4million for the remainder of his time at the Reds.

However, Benitez has turned down this offer, with the Spaniard wanting his new deal to match those of Arsene Wenger at Arsenal and Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who both reportedly earn in the region of £4.5million a year.

American co-owner’s Tom Hicks and George Gillett are arguing that Benitez has not won a trophy for Liverpool since his last contract renewal in 2006, with the wages Benitez is demanding proving to be a major stumbling block in thrashing out a deal to extend his four-year stay on the Red half of Merseyside.

Benitez has always insisted that he wishes to remain at Anfield and is understood to want a five-year deal at Liverpool, but his initial refusal at the two-year contract on offer, will alert La Liga Champions Real Madrid, who want to bring Benitez back to Spain at the Bernabeu. Where the Spaniard started his coaching career spending nine-years in charge of the Real Madrid youth and B teams.

Benitez Drops Keane To Fuel Liverpool Exit Speculation

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has dropped Republic of Ireland International Robbie Keane for the Premier League clash with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Saturday. Which is sure to fuel speculation about the striker’s future at the Merseyside club just four months after Keane’s £20million transfer from Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite EURO 2008 winner Fernando Torres being out with a persistent hamstring problem, Benitez has not included Keane in the Liverpool squad that travelled to Blackburn, but has insisted that there is plenty of time left in the season for the former Inter Milan player to feature.

Keane has featured in all 15 of the Reds Premiership matches this season, but has only managed to find the net twice in the Premier League since his big-money move from White Hart Lane in the summer.

However, while Benitez has claimed there is plenty of time left this campaign for Keane to come good on Merseyside. The Spaniard also declared that Keane is just “another player” and that no one at Anfield is guaranteed a place.

Benitez said: “He is working hard in training as always. The best way to support him is by talking about how he can improve. We have to analyse everything because we have to think about him and the team.

“There are six months of the season left so I can pick him lots of times but I cannot guarantee a position to anyone.

“He is a normal player, another player. As a player you have to work hard and try and do the things we are practising in training.

“We have to win. He is in the same situation as the rest of the players. Can I guarantee the position of Agger, Hyypia, Aurelio, Dossena, Carragher, no?

“The players have to play the best that they can every week and then afterwards you decide.

“We can talk about players costing £15m-£20m at other teams and they are on the bench every week but people are not talking about them.

“For me it is not a question of the price tag of the player, he is just another player.”

Benitez also refused to be drawn on how negotiations are going on a new contract for him at Liverpool, which the former Valencia coach had hoped to be done and dusted by the end of November.

“My advisors are in contact with the club and that’s it,” he said.

“I would like to concentrate on football because they are doing their job.”

Villa To Join Liverpool & Man United In Valencia Hunt?

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Aston Villa, are to join Liverpool and Manchester United in the race for the signature of Wigan Athletic midfielder Luis Antonio Valencia, when the transfer window reopens in January, according to The News of the World.

The Sunday tabloid claims that Villa boss Martin O’Neil is planning to make a £7million offer to lure 23-year-old Valencia from the JJB Stadium to Villa Park. As the former Celtic boss looks to build a squad capable of challenging for a Champions League place in the Premiership at the Midlands club.

Ecuador International Valencia signed permanently for the Latics in the summer, having spent the previous two seasons on loan from La Liga club Villarreal and has made 65 Premier League appearances for Steve Bruce’s side.

Valencia has also attracted the attention of Reds boss Rafa Benitez, with the Liverpool boss keen to bring the right-winger to Anfield as a replacement for Jermaine Pennant, who looks destined to leave the Merseyside club in January.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is also said to be interested in bringing Valencia to the Premier League Champions, with the Red Devils chief also linked with Valencia’s club and International team mate Wilson Palacios.

Liverpool Boss Benitez: New Deal "Could Be" Resolved By The End Of The Month

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez refused to be drawn on how negotiations are going on a new deal at Anfield, but indicated that “it could be” resolved by the end of the month.

Former Valencia coach Benitez revealed recently that talks were due to get underway regarding an extension to his current deal at the Merseyside Club, which runs out in 2010.

However, when asked about how close the talks were to a conclusion and the possibility of a resolution by the end of November, Benitez insisted that his focus was on the Reds Champions League clash against Marseille on Wednesday at Anfield.

Benitez replied: “It could be, but I prefer to concentrate on this game.”

Benitez also revealed that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, will be fit to face Marseille after missing the Premier League match with Fulham on Saturday with a groin injury. Benitez also believed that England International Gerrard could start and might even play the full 90 minutes.

Benitez added: “Gerrard has trained today so he is available. I think he would be fit to last 90 minutes if he needed to.

”It depends on the player, but he is fit and he can start if necessary and after that, it depends on how he is feeling during the game.”

Spurs & Arsenal Join Liverpool In Race For Danish Starlet?

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are set to join Liverpool in the race to sign FC Copenhagen defender Mathais Jorgensen, according to the Daily Star.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez has been tracking 18-year-old Jorgensen for some time now and was alerted to Jorgensen by Jakob Friis-Hansen, who had previously advised Benitez on Daniel Agger and Nicola Savic, with the pair already at Anfield.

“I have previously advised Liverpool over two Danes, with Daniel Agger and Nicola Savic, both of whom they purchased and are almost too happy with,” said Friis-Hansen to Sporten.dk in August.

“I gave them Mathias Jorgensen's name a long time ago and Liverpool are wild about him. They are keeping very good track of him.

“Liverpool see him as a very promising youngster, like I do, and clearly just like a player who will play for the Danish national team for many years to come.”

However, it now appears that Benitez will face stiff competition from Spurs and the Gunners, with all three Premier League sides keen to bring Jorgensen, who won his first senior cap for Denmark last week against Wales to the Premiership.

Real Lining Up £15million January Bid For Liverpool Star?

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La Liga giants Real Madrid are lining up a £15million bid for Liverpool winger Ryan Babel as the Spanish Champions look to bolster their attacking options at the Bernabeu, with striker Ruud van Nistelrooy ruled out for the rest of the season, according to reports in Spain.

21-year-old Dutch International Babel arrived at Anfield in a £11.5million deal from Eredivisie side Ajax in 2007 and can play as a winger or second striker. Despite making 35 league appearances during his time at the Merseyside club, Babel has made only one start in the Premier League this season and could be tempted to leave the Reds in order to play more first team football.

Despite using Babel sparingly Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is a big admirer of the Dutchman and insists that the Premiership will see the best of Babel this year, with the Spaniard claiming that Babel is still learning the stresses and rigours of the Premier League.

“He's improving and he's working hard and trying to learn and have a proper understanding of the Premier League, and hopefully we will see the best of Babel this year,” Benitez told the Daily Express.

“But he is still a young player and he needs to change some things and he will be better. He knows that sometimes he can be a very good player for us and he is trying.”

However, with it well publicised that Benitez will have to sell players in January before he can bring fresh faces into Anfield. A £15million offer for a Babel, who is not a regular starter, might prove to tempting to turn down for the board at the Merseyside club.

Wenger, Scolari & Benitez Top Real Madrid Shortlist

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La Liga Champions Real Madrid have put the names of three Premier League manager’s at the top of their list to replace under-fire coach Bernd Schuster at the Bernabeu next summer. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger tops the list followed by Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari and Liverpool’s Rafa Benitez, according to the Sunday Express.

Los Merengues have already tried to lure Wenger (above) away from the Gunners twice, but despite being rebuffed on both occasions by the Frenchman believe they have a better chance next summer. With the North London club faltering in the Premiership and reeling from the effects of ‘Gallasgate’ last week. Real feel that Wenger could be ready to leave the Emirates Stadium for a fresh challenge and have made him their number one target to replace Schuster.

Wenger has always maintained that he will see out his contract at the Gunners, but the Frenchman has not won a trophy since the FA Cup in 2005 and might decide that he has taken Arsenal as far as he can take them and seek one final challenge at the La Liga giants.

Should Real fail in a third attempt to land Wenger as coach then they will turn to former Brazil and Portugal coach Scolari now in charge at Stamford Bridge. Though it is unlikely that Scolari would quit the Blues after just one season at the Premiership club. With the Brazilian already showing his loyalty in seeing out his contracts with Brazil and Portugal, despite being offered other jobs, which included the England manager’s job.

This would leave Benitez, who although committed to the Reds is at a club where the future is uncertain. With the American co-owners suspending work on the new stadium and Benitez being told he must sell before he can buy in January at the Merseyside club. This along with the fact that negotiations on a new deal at Anfield for Benitez have only just started would make third choice Benitez Real’s most realistic target.

However, as with everything a lot can change between now and the summer and while it is possible that anyone of Wenger, Scolari or Benitez could end up at the Spanish Champions. There is also a strong chance that they will all remain where they are.