Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is ready to pounce for Real Madrid striker Javier Saviola in a £5 million deal.

The Daily Star Sunday says the Liverpool chief is a big admirer of the Argentine maestro and wants him to link up with Fernando Torres in the Reds attack.

And with Saviola, 27, unlikely to get much action at the Bernabeu following the signings of Ronaldo and Kaka, the Liverpool boss is plotting a move.

Saviola has already been told he must give up his No.9 shirt to Cristiano Ronaldo, convincing him of his place in the new pecking order at the La Liga giants.