Ruud Van Nistelrooy
Rafael van der Vaart
Maxi Rodriguez
Vasil Torosidis
Arda Turan
Milan Jovanovic
Ivan Gonzalez
Victor Moses
Emile Heskey
Liverpool's transfer activity is threatening to
overshadow their FA Cup third-round trip to Reading on
Saturday.
Manager Rafael Benitez is promising "not too many changes" to his
side for the clash at the Madejski Stadium, but there could soon be
changes to his Anfield squad.
The Spaniard has been linked with a host of players with the
transfer window having only just opened, while sources in Spain and
at the club suggest there is a good prospect of Atletico Madrid's
winger Maxi Rodriguez arriving on a six-month loan.
Talks are believed to be ongoing for the 29-year-old, who is a
close friend of Reds midfielder and Argentina team-mate Javier
Mascherano.
Striker Andriy Voronin could be the first to depart, with Zenit St
Petersburg and Spartak Moscow both interested in the
player. Voronin has been on holiday over the Christmas period,
having been frozen out by Benitez since a wasteful appearance in
the Champions League draw in Lyon.
Benitez is considering Greece international full-back Vasil
Torosidis as a replacement for Glen Johnson, who could miss up to
two months with his knee injury.
Asked if he was considering signing a full-back, Benitez said:
"Yes, we are working hard (on transfers) and trying to do our jobs,
and we'll see if we can do something.
"We are looking in the market but it's not easy to find good
players available because the majority of them are playing in top
sides. But we are trying to find solutions if we can.
"We have some good players who people are interested in because
they're not playing too many games for us, but we have to manage
carefully."
Ryan Babel will be allowed to leave, but his agent has been told
there is no chance of a loan move, while Andrea Dossena is a target
for Atletico Madrid.
Other players linked with Liverpool are Galatasaray midfielder Arda
Turan, Standard Liege striker Milan Jovanovic, Malaga defender Ivan
Gonzalez and Crystal Palace youngster Victor Moses.
But first, Liverpool need to avoid a cup disaster in Berkshire,
having established some measure of confidence and form with
back-to-back league wins over Wolves and Aston Villa.
Benitez added: "The FA Cup is always important, but when you are
out of the Champions League it becomes a major trophy.
"Our fans are still thinking of winning silverware this season, so
that means the FA Cup. It is a very important competition for us
now.
"We must look at our squad and decide what we are going to do at
Reading. We have more training sessions to see how they are, but
because the competition has added importance now maybe we will not
change too many players.
