Maxi Rodriguez is Rafa Benitez's limit

LIVERPOOL are unlikely to reinvest the funds raised by chopping back the dead wood clogging up Rafa Benitez’s squad into bolstering their quest for a top-four finish this season.

RYAN BABEL Alex McLeish target RYAN BABEL: Alex McLeish target

Instead, once a £1.5million deal for Atletico Madrid winger Maxi Rodriguez has been sealed, Anfield manager Benitez will have little room left to manoeuvre in the January market.

Benitez is in the process of offloading misfits Andrea Dossena and Andriy Voronin to Napoli and Dinamo Moscow respectively, which will bring in a combined fee of about £5.5m. Ryan Babel is the subject of a £9m bid from Birmingham and Philipp Degen, who is attracting interest in Germany, is also available.

Liverpool insiders have indicated, however, that whatever funds are recouped by the departure of players over the next few weeks, Benitez will not be buying in this transfer window. There is the possibility – no more than that – of a loan arrival in addition to Rodriguez.

Club sources insist the policy has not been forced on Benitez as a result of the financial problems caused by the £240m debts owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have dumped on Liverpool, and that the money will be earmarked for strategic purchases in the summer, when better-quality targets are available.

Yet Benitez is likely to be disappointed with his efforts in recruiting a right-back to offset the impact of the medial knee ligament injury that will keep Glen Johnson sidelined for six weeks.

Exactly how much Benitez will recoup this January will be determined largely by where Babel’s future lies.

Benitez said he did not want to sell Babel but that could depend on the size of any offer.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has tabled a bid of £9m but will switch targets if he feels his club are being used to fire up an auction.

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