Rafael Benitez is ready to trigger a clause in Craig Bellamy's contract which would allow Liverpool to sign the Blackburn hitman for £6million.

The Anfield chief desperately needs to strengthen his attacking options as Djibril Cisse has suffered a broken leg which will keep him out until November and Fernando Morientes has moved to Valencia.

Benitez has extended Robbie Fowler's stay on Merseyside for next season but wants a prolific striker to partner gangly goalgetter Peter Crouch up front.

Feyenoord's Dirk Kuyt was high on his list but an asking price of £12million is deemed too high for the Reds, who have also been keeping tabs on Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent, impressive in his debut season with Charlton.

A move for Wales forward Bellamy is most likely, though, as the 25-year-old is believed to have a clause in his Rovers contract which allows other clubs to speak to him if they stump up £6million.

Mark Hughes has been actively searching for a new striker himself, having been linked with moves for Jason Roberts and Emile Heskey.