Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez cannot rule out selling one of his top names to fund a summer rebuilding campaign. Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano are all interesting big-spending European rivals.

Benitez said: "Will I have to sell to raise money? I will say again that it depends.

"We want to keep the spine of the team and do the same as we have done in the past. Sometimes you have to manage and you have to sell two or three players who aren't playing many games.

"But, then again, you can't bring in big money for them if they are not playing."

That leads to the big, big ­question. Would Benitez have to do what he has dreaded ­doing all his Liverpool life - selling one of his big guns?

Benitez added: "I don't think I will have to do that. But it will all depend on the investors. Our idea is to keep the spine of the team.

"I think we can improve but I will say again, too, that it depends if we can do the right signings.

"It is always easier to sign more players with more money. People can talk about this player and that player but, if you don't have £60million every year, you have to sell."