Fun in the sun: Andriy and Yulia share a hug (left)
and contemplate playing some football of a rather different variety
to that the striker is used to at Anfield (right)
His Liverpool
team-mates toiled to beat Aston Villa in
the Birmingham snow last night, but yesterday Andriy Voronin lapped
up the sun on Miami Beach with his glamorous wife,
Yulia.
Sportsmail understands the Ukraine striker has been allowed a
few days off before he is due to return to Anfield for talks over
his future at the club, with a view to a possible move in the
January transfer window.
Voronin was not included in the Reds' squad for the crunch clash
at Villa Park and has not featured for Rafa Benitez's side since
the 1-1 draw with Lyon in the Champions League on November 4, a
game in which he missed several gilt-edged chances to score.
The 30-year-old forward has played just 12 times for his club so
far this season and has said that he wants to feature more for
Liverpool.
But he was farmed out on loan to Hertha Berlin last season as he
found himself behind Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt,
Ryan Babel and David Ngog in the Anfield strikers' pecking
order.
Voronin was a success in the Bundesliga but the German side
could not afford to make the Ukrainian's move a permanent one,
leaving him to return to Anfield where he has again found his
chances limited.
Indeed, Voronin now appears to be behind even youngsters Nabir
El Zahr and Dani Pacheco in the competition for first-team places,
while rumours abound that Benitez is ready to swoop for Real Madrid
front-man Ruud van Nistelrooy.
And it appeared that Voronin was a long way from a return to
action as he enjoyed the sun, sand and sea in Florida, accompanied
by his wife Yulia.
Once described as the worst-dressed WAG in football, Yulia gave
no opportunity to have that accusation repeated as she paraded
around in a red bikini.
So at least one member of the Voronin family was wearing red
yesterday.
Life's a beach: Yulia Voronin enjoys the sea at
Miami Beach
Snow joke: Steven Gerrard is floored by Aston
Villa's Carlos Cuellar (above) while Alberto Aquilani battles with
the elements amid the snow storm at Villa Park
