Liverpool are paving the way for Steven Gerrard's possible summer departure by trying to sign Valencia's power house midfielder Ruben Baraja.
The Valencia midfielder is one of Rafa Benitez's favourite players and Liverpool sounded him out before Benitez even arrived at Anfield.
Baraja, 29, was at the heart of the Valencia side that twice stole the title away from Real Madrid and Barcelona under Benitez and, with 36 Spanish caps is one of his country's most experienced players.
Barja would cost 12 million but Benitez has been promised funds by the Anfield board so that will be no problem.
Even if Benitez manages to convince Gerrard to stay for another year then Baraja would still be top of the manager's shopping list.
Baraja has told friends in Spain he wants to play in the Premiership and would be delighted to link up with Benitez once again.
Pure speculation but I would love to see it happen. Now you could argue that Baraja wouldn't want to come to a side that isn't going to be playing Champions League football next season however Benitez is a big name and Spain, many respect him and players would love to play for him so Baraja comming here wouldn't be impossible.
Luis Garcia left Barcelona who guarantee Champions League football every year, he left Barca to join us because he knows what kind of manager Benitez is as he's worked with him before, that and the Premiership is a challenge managers/players want to take.
Xabi Alonso turned down Real Madrid in order to play under a manager such as Benitez.
So anything is possible. We can still get players we want in the summer despite not being able to play CL football next season, we got the money, we got the manager to get the players we want and lets not forget that L.F.C is still and always be a big name for players world-wide.
