Reds want City defender

Rafa Benitez is looking to make a summer move for Manchester City defender Micah Richards.

The Liverpool boss is hoping to bring in the 21-year-old by offering him the carrot of regular first-team football and a way back into the England set up.

The Anfield manager is hoping to get a cash injection this summer to help bring in new additions but given the precarious financial state the Merseyside club finds itself in Rafa may have to sell before he can buy. Micah Richards has found his first-team chances limited of late and as a result has fallen down Fabio Capello's pecking order.

Even though Liverpool did not manage to secure a Champions League spot, the chance of a move to Anfield and the chance to re-ignite his career may tempt Richards, who can usefully play effectively both at right-back and in the centre of defence. For that reason Benitez considers him one of his top summer targets.

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