Liverpool confident of sealing Maxi deal

LIVERPOOL remain confident they can complete a loan move for Maxi Rodriguez by the end of the week.

Atletico Madrid are keen to offload Rodriguez this month with the player, who is out of contract in the summer, having refused to sign a new deal at the La Liga side.

Liverpool are favourites ahead of Boca Juniors to land the Argentina international on loan until the end of the season.

Atletico are reluctant to allow Rodriguez walk away for nothing and are more inclined to do business with the Anfield outfit as they, unlike Boca, are willing to pay a loan fee for the right-winger.

Newell's Old Boys, where Rodriguez started his career in Argentina, have also expressed an interest, while Italian giants Juventus and AC Milan have both made tentative enquiries about the 29-year-old.

Rodriguez currently earns £85,000 a week, prompting fears the move could be scuppered by Liverpool being unable to match his demands.

But Liverpool are confident they can wrap up the loan switch in the coming days and anticipate no problem with the player's wages, although they are yet to discuss personal terms.

Rodriguez, who can also play as an attacking midfielder, was left out of the Atletico squad for Saturday's 2-1 win over Sevilla because of a "fever" and has almost certainly played his last game for the club.

Rafael Benitez has earmarked the right flank as an area for reinforcement this month, but is aware he must balance the books given the financial climate at Anfield.

Meanwhile, Liverpool's FA Cup third round replay at home to Reading on Wednesday, January 13 will now kick-off at 7.45pm after being chosen to be screened live on ITV1.

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