Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is aiming to trump Chelsea for £15 million-rated CSKA Moscow winger Yuri Zhirkov.

The Liverpool Daily Post says Zhirkov has been a long-term target for Chelsea and was expected to join the Londoners when the transfer window opens in June.

However, with Benitez looking to strengthen his left-sided defensive options in the summer, the Liverpool manager is believed to be considering a move for the player dubbed the 'Russian Ronaldinho'.

Benitez, who this week admitted he would have to sell to fund swoops for his top targets, could partly finance a deal by offloading £7m flop Andrea Dossena back to Italy with a number of clubs interested in his signature.