Benitez plotting another Liverpool raid

Liverpool supporters in the Football Transfer Tavern still hold great affinity with former Reds boss Rafael Benitez who led the club to their famous fifth Champions League victory in 2005.

But after the former interim Chelsea manager lured long-serving goalkeeper Pepe Reina to his current club Napoli on a season-long loan, Benitez is now looking to raid his former club once again. This time talkSPORT report that he wants to sign Slovakian centre-back Martin Skrtel for his new Italian side.

Benitez has had a busy time in the transfer following his arrival in Naples, beating Arsenal to striker Gonzalo Higuain, while landing fellow Madrid pair Raul Albiol and Jose Callejon plus the addition of Reina to the side that will feature in the Champions League this season.

Now Benitez wants to sign Skrtel again as he attempts to further strengthen his squad after he originally brought the commanding defender to England in 2008 in a deal worth £6.5m from Zenit Saint Petersburg.

Rodgers has so far recruited former Manchester City defender Kolo Toure as he wanted to create extra competition for places in defence and losing Skrtel would considered a blow for the Reds with just three weeks until the season kicks off despite the 28-year-old falling out of favour towards the end of the term.

In better news for Reds fans the same report suggests that it could speed up the side’s offer for Schalke star centre-back Kyriakos Papadopoulos, who will be available for around £13m this summer as Rodgers looks for top-quality replacement.