Football - Liverpool FC: Andriy Voronin and Ryan Babel may leave Liverpool in January clear-out

Nov 26 2009 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

Football - Liverpool FC: ANDRIY VORONIN and Ryan Babel are set become the first casualties of Liverpool’s Champions League elimination.

The pair are likely to be the most notable names to be told their futures lie away from the club as Rafael Benitez ponders a mini-clearout in January.

The Anfield manager is hoping to raise funds to bolster his under-performing squad as he plans his long-term transfer strategy.

And Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is believed to be keen on making a controversial move to Liverpool in the New Year.

Voronin has not been involved in the matchday squad since starting the 1-1 Champions League draw in Lyon three weeks.

The Ukraine international missed a gilt-edged chance during the match, with Liverpool’s failure to win contributing to their exit from the competition that was confirmed on Wednesday by Fiorentina’s 1-0 win over Lyon.

Voronin has proven unpopular with large sections of the Anfield support since his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen on a free transfer more than two years ago, and spent last season on loan at Hertha Berlin.

Eintracht Frankfurt have confirmed an interest in taking the 30-year-old back to the Bundesliga in the forthcoming January transfer window but a lack of finance means any move may only be temporary.

Babel’s Anfield career is seemingly also in doubt after his latest outburst in which he reiterated a desire to leave in the New Year if he does not play more regularly. The 22-year-old also questioned some of the managerial methods of Benitez, which is unlikely to improve his chances of the first-team football he craves.

But while Voronin and Babel edge nearer the Anfield exit, sources in Spain have suggested van Nistelrooy would jump at the chance of a move to Liverpool.

The former Manchester United striker has intimated to his advisors that he wishes to make the transfer to provide back-up to the injury-hampered Fernando Torres.

The Dutch international has found himself on the fringes at the Bernabeu this season following the arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Kaka in the summer.

Real, however, are not thought to be keen to part with van Nistelrooy as they challenge for the Champions League and La Liga title, although the player’s wish to leave may leave the Bernabeu outfit with little choice.

Meanwhile, Pepe Reina has revealed Liverpool have already started training their thoughts on Europa League glory, with the Anfield outfit dropping into the last 32 of the competition.

“Of course we’re disappointed because this is a big competition that we’ve done well in for the last three or four years,” said Reina.

“Now we’re out, though. It’s a tough competition and it’s not always possible to get out of the group stage.

“The Europa League is another competition for us and we want to win it. It’ll be tough because there are so many good teams involved, but we have to look forward and keep trying to win.”

LAST NIGHT’S reserve game at Wigan was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.