Ryan Babel’s future at Liverpool remains unclear but Anfield boss Rafael Benitez maintains he is wanted at the club. The Spaniard has also confirmed the move for Atletico Madrid's Argentine midfielder Maxi Rodriguez has stalled, but both Andrea Dossena and Andriy Voronin are heading for the exit.
Liverpool have rejected a €10 million bid from Birmingham for Babel, who has frequently complained about his lack of senior games and is known to be concerned about his position in Holland’s World Cup squad.
But Benitez said: “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.
“Therefore we rejected the offer. He is a good player and he works hard, I want him in the squad.”
Benitez is aware that any big money raised from transfers during the current transfer window is likely to be stockpiled for use in the summer rather than mid-season, so there is no real desire from the manager to sell Babel.
Two players are on their way out of Anfield. Full-back Dossena has completed a medical and agreed a €4.25 million move to Napoli, with Benitez saying: “All that is needed now is for the paperwork to be completed.”
Ukraine forward Voronin is in a similar position regarding a €2.3 million move to Dynamo Moscow. Benitez said: “That deal is also nearing completion.
“They are both different to Babel. They both were not playing many matches and wanted to play regularly elsewhere.”
The move to bring winger Rodriguez from Atletico Madrid is not yet concluded, says Benitez, but the player is believed to have agreed an 18-month contract, subject to a medical.
"Rodriguez is an experienced player, a good international and he scores goals," said Benitez. "The deal was almost done, but then there was a problem between the player and Atletico Madrid. So he is still, at the moment, their player."