Babel future in the balance

Ryan Babel's future at Liverpool remains in the balance after boss Rafa Benitez revealed he is an important part of his plans.

The 23-year-old Holland forward has repeatedly complained about a lack of first-team opportunities with the Reds in the run-up to a World Cup campaign and Birmingham had hoped this week to lure him to St Andrews with a £9million bid.

Benitez rejected that offer and wants Babel to remain at Anfield as he attempts to guide them back into the top four.

"I have not said that Ryan has to leave the club. We received an offer for the player and he said that he did not want to leave the club," Benitez said.

"Therefore we rejected the offer. He is a good player and he works hard, I want him in the squad."

Liverpool are under no pressure to get rid of Babel as they completed the £4.5million sale of Andrea Dossena to Napoli on Friday and are also close to offloading frontman Andriy Voronin to Dynamo Moscow in a £2million deal.

Benitez added: "The Voronin deal is nearing completion but both he and Dossena are different to Babel. They were not playing many matches and wanted to play regularly elsewhere."

One player that does look to close to arriving on Merseyside is Atletico Madrid winger Maxi Rodriguez.

The 29-year-old Argentina international is believed to have agreed an 18-month contract, subject to a medical, and is thought to be tying up his loose ends in the Spanish capital.

Benitez said: "We have talked with Madrid and the players' advisors but Rodriguez still has some issues to sort out with Madrid first."

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the views or position of Liverpool Football Club.