Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin remains in the sights of Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.

The Times says with Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel, who have back and hamstring injuries respectively, struggling to be fit for the opening game of the new Barclays Premier League season away to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday week, Benítez has only one fit, recognised centre half available - Jamie Carragher - after the exit of Sami Hyypia to Bayer Leverkusen and the manager wants cover in the position.

Benítez is likely to face competition from Manchester City for the defender. Having lost out to City for Gareth Barry, the midfield player, Liverpool will not want to end up second best again.